Master Sergeant Lencys Y. Esteban Nuñez is a Regional Band Saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Yokota Air Base, Japan. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as the unit’s First Sergeant where he operates as the key advisor to the Commander on matters of welfare, discipline, career progression and readiness for 25 members. MSgt Esteban also works in concert with the unit’s Senior Enlisted Leader to oversee health, morale, quality of life and recognition programs. Additionally, he mentors members on compliance with Air Force standards, serving as the focal point to proactively address and resolve unit members’ complaints. In previous assignments, MSgt Esteban has served in various leadership roles including Section Chief of Resources, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Supply, and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of a Music Performance Team.
In 2017, Sergeant Esteban deployed as the Advon for the USAF Academy Band to Southwest Asia, where he helped support the morale of U.S. and coalition troops and promoted diplomacy and outreach to host nation communities. In 2020, he deployed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations as the Superintendent for the U.S. Air Forces Central Band (USAFCENT). While there, he navigated pandemic restrictions enabling Department of Defense collaborations with Qatar, supporting the Department of State’s Qatar-United States of America Year of Culture initiative. MSgt Esteban utilized soft power capabilities to boost bilateral interoperability, leading two teams of Airmen and civilians in the disruption of adversarial narratives across three nations. As the sole band liaison through a three-month Officer in Charge absence, he ushered the return of music performance teams after a nine-month hiatus. Sergeant Esteban effectively leveraged the power of music to bolster the morale of U.S. and coalition troops and strengthen partnerships throughout Southwest Asia, directly supporting counter Iranian deterrence, as well as Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, SPARTAN SHIELD and the Resolute Support Mission.
Prior to joining the Air Force, MSgt Esteban Nuñez studied with Arthur Bouton, Malcom Lynn Baker, César López, Mark Harris, and Anthony Dagradi, among others. He was the recipient of the 2004 Kanter Plaut Foundation Award for "The Most Outstanding Senior in Performance" and was awarded the Lamont School of Music 2004 Senior Recital of Distinction. In May 2002, he was a member of the Saxophone Quartet that won the Lamont Chamber Music Competition, at the University of Denver. In 2000, Sergeant Esteban Nuñez performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY with the National Wind Ensemble.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance, University of Denver, Denver, Colo.
2012 Airman Leadership School, Residence, Kapaun AB, Germany
2012 Community College of the Air Force Degree in Applied Science/Music, Ramstein AB, Germany, distance learning
2012 Music Certificate, Berklee College of Music, Ramstein AB, Germany, distance learning
2020 Non-Commissioned Officer's Academy, Residence, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Colorado Springs, Colo. distance learning
2021 Introduction to Culture - Air University, AFCLC, Peterson AB, Colo. distance learning
2021 Japanese Language I, The University of Maryland Global Campus, Yokota AB, Japan, distance learning
2023 Language Intensive Training Event (LITE) - Spanish, Language Acquisition Resource Center (LARC), Residence, San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif.
2024 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Yokota AB, Japan, distance learning
2024 Language Intensive Training Event, Integrated Deterrence/Advance Special Emphasis, Residence, Bogota, Colombia
2024 Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute, Yokota AB, Japan, distance learning
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2005 - May 2009, USAF Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, Va.
2. May 2009 - August 2011, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach AB, Germany
3. August 2011 - August 2016, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. August 2016 - August 2021, USAF Academy Band, Peterson AFB, Colo.
(Deployed October 2017 - February 2018, Saxophone/Advon, USAFCENT Band) and
(Deployed July 2020 - January 2021, Superintendent, USAFCENT Band)
5. September 2021 - Present, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 Leadership Award, First Term Airmen Center, Langley AFB, Va.
2006 USAF Heritage of America Band, Airman of the 3rd Quarter
2006 USAF Heritage of America Band, Airman of the 4th Quarter
2010 HQ USAFE/PA, Outstanding Airman of the 3rd Quarter
2010 HQ USAFE/PA, Outstanding Airman of the Year
2014 U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, NCO of the 4th Quarter
2015 U.S Air Forces in Europe Band, Action Officer of the 4th Quarter
2017 USAF Academy Band, NCO of the Year
2018 USAF Academy Band, NCO of the 4th Quarter
2018 USAF Academy Band, NCO of the Year
2019 National Medal of Arts
2020 AFCENT Combined Air Operations Center Public Affairs Directorate NCO 4th Quarter
2020 Lance P. Sijan MAJCOM-level Leadership Award
2021 Gill Robb Wilson Award, USAF Academy Band
2022 USAF Band of the Pacific (Resources Section) Team of the 3rd Quarter
2023 USAF Band of the Pacific (Resources Section) Team of the 3rd Quarter
2023 USAF Band of the Pacific, SNCO of the Year
2023 Brigadier General Harry J. Dalton Jr. Team Award, PACAF, Communications Excellence
2024 USAF Band of the Pacific (Resources Section) Team of the 4th Quarter
2024 USAF Band of the Pacific, HQ PACAF PA, SNCO of the 4th Quarter
2024 USAF Band of the Pacific (Resources Section) Team Excellence Yearly Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Member for Life, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
Language Enable Airman Program (LEAP) Scholar
Project Management Institute (PMI)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class - August 2005
Senior Airman - November 2007
Staff Sergeant - September 2012
Technical Sergeant - September 2019
Master Sergeant - April 2023
(Current as of January 2025)