SSgt Ryu Yamakawa serves as a guitarist with the USAF Band of the Pacific, Pacific Showcase jazz ensemble. A native of Chiba, Japan, and resident of Tampa, Florida he enlisted in the Air Force in February 2017. Ryu graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in professional music. While earning his degree, he toured Europe as a sideman guitarist with various performing groups. He has studied with Tomo Fujita, Mick Goodrick, John Baboian, and Tim Miller. SSgt Yamakawa worked with Princess Cruises as a House Band Musician from 2014 to 2016, touring the coast of Asia from Russia to New Zealand, as well as the West Coast of North and South America.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, April 2017 -2019
2. USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan November 2019 -
EDUCATION
2014 Bachelor of Professional Music, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
2017 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2024 Airman Leadership School, Commandant's Awards, Yokota AB Japan
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Air Force LEAP Scholar (The Language Enabled Airman Program)
Resolute Dragon 23 Part 1
NWPAC24 Execution
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
1. Air and Space Commendation Medal
2. Air and Space Achievement Medal
3. Joint Meritorious Unit Award
4. AF Good Conduct Medal-1 Oak Leaf Cluster
5. National Defense Service Medal
6. Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
7. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
8. Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
9. Air and Space Longevity Service Award
10. USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
11. Air and Space Training Ribbon