Technical Sergeant Ian O’Beirne is a saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Prior to joining the military, he spent seven years touring internationally with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, performing throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. He has released three albums of original music as a bandleader, with compositions featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross since 2014.
TSgt O’Beirne enlisted in the United States Air Force in May 2016 and was assigned to the Band of the Golden West at Travis Air Force Base, California. While there, he served as composer, arranger, music director, and operations representative for both The Commander’s Jazz Combo and the Pegasus Saxophone Quintet. His notable appearances included the Tournament of Roses Parade in January 2017 (live audience of 100,000 and broadcast to over 1.2 million viewers), a featured composition and performance at the 40th International Saxophone Symposium in January 2018, and participation as a clarinetist in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.
Since arriving at Yokota AB, TSgt O’Beirne has served as music director and operations representative for Pacific Showcase, Final Approach, and the Pacific Saxophone Quartet. He has held a range of additional duties, including NCOIC of Productions, Section Chief of Administrative Support and Records Management, Section Chief of Publicity, Commander’s Executive Assistant, fill-in arranger, and resources assistant. He joined the Yokota Total Force Leadership Development Cadre in 2019 and served as a council member. In January 2024, he created and led a joint-service saxophone quartet program featuring musicians from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force at the 44th International Saxophone Symposium.
EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Music, Saxophone Performance, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.
2009 Master of Arts in Teaching, Music Education, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.
2020 Airman Leadership School, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2024 Master of Music, Jazz Studies, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, Ark.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2016 – July 2018, Saxophonist, Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
2. July 2018 – Present, Saxophonist / Section Chief of Publicity, Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class May 17, 2016
Senior Airman Sep. 17, 2018
Staff Sergeant May 1, 2020
Technical Sergeant April 1, 2024
(Current as of May 2025)