TSgt Ian O’Beirne is a Saxophonist at the PACAF Band, Yokota AB, Japan. Prior to his time in the military, he toured for seven years with the Glenn Miller Orchestra throughout the US, Canada, and Japan. He has recorded three albums of original music as a leader, with music placements for NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross since 2014.
Joining the Air Force in May 2016, TSgt O’Beirne was assigned to the Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, and served as composer, arranger, music director, and operations representative for The Commander’s Jazz Combo and the Pegasus Saxophone Quintet. While at Travis AFB, he participated in the Tournament of Roses, January 2017, for a live audience of 100k and broadcast of over 1.2 million; composed and performed for the 40th International Saxophone Symposium, January 2018, Fairfax, VA; and supplemented the USAF Band in Washington DC as clarinetist for the inaugural parade of the 45th POTUS, Donald J. Trump, January 20th 2017.
Since coming to Yokota, TSgt O’Beirne has held positions as the music director and operations representative for Pacific Showcase, Final Approach and Pacific Saxophone Quartet, NCOIC of the latter, as well as the Commander’s executive assistant, fill-in arranger, resources assistant, NCOIC of Productions, and NCOIC of Admin Support and Records Management. He joined the Yokota Total Force Leadership Development Cadre in 2019 and was a member of the council. TSgt O’Beirne crafted an original program for a joint saxophone quartet comprising members from the Navy, Air Force and Marines, for the 44th International Saxophone Symposium, January 2024.
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 AB, Japan
2024 Master of Music in Jazz Studies, The University of Arkansas at Monticello
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2016 – July 2018, Saxophone, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA
2. July 2018 – Present, NCOIC Admin Support, Yokota AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Humanitarian Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class – May 17, 2016
Senior Airman – Sep 17, 2018
Staff Sergeant – May 1, 2020
Technical Sergeant – Apr 1, 2024