Technical Sergeant Joseph Gacioch is the Operations Representative for the ‘Wings of Dixie’ ensemble at the US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Technical Sergeant Gacioch graduated for Portland State University with a BA in Jazz Performance in 2001. Prior to enlisting in the military, he performed as a professional guitarist on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines from 2001-2003. In 2004 he auditioned for the Navy Music program and was subsequently stationed and Navy Band Great Lakes from 2004-2008 where he served as a guitarist in the contemporary music ensemble as well as the jazz ensemble. In 2008 he auditioned and was selected for assignment to the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia where he served as a guitarist in the Jazz band and Dixie Band from 2009-2012.
In 2012 he was assigned to the US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany where he performed with the Dixieland ensemble. In 2015 he served as a guitarist for the US Air Force Academy Band, Peterson AFB, Colorado where he performed with the pop ensemble ‘Blue Steel’ while serving as NCIOC and musical director of the ‘Blue Steel Protocol Combo’. In 2019 he was once again selected for an assignment to the US Air Forces in Europe Band at Ramstein Air Base Germany where he currently serves as guitarist and operations representative for the ‘Wings of Dixie’ ensemble.
He has performed with Randy Brecker, Ernie Watts, Bromberg, Al Vizzutti, Terrell Stafford and Ingrid Jensen. He has also performed for two U.S. Presidents as well as many US and international dignitaries. An active composer and bandleader, he released an album of all original music in 2019.
Technical Sergeant Gacioch has deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar where he performed in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, and Djibouti, Africa.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Arts, Jazz Performance, Portland State University
2012 Airman Leadership School
2017 NCO Academy
ASSINGMENTS
August 2004- February 2009, Navy Band Great Lakes, Naval Station Great lakes, Illinois
August 2009-September 2012, Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, Virginia
September 2012-September 2015, US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
October 2015-August 2019, US Air Force Academy Band, Peterson AFB, Colorado
August 2019-present, US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Long
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Senior Airman – 14 Jan 2005
Staff Sergeant – 1 Sep 2011
Technical Sergeant – 1 Aug 2019