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, operating as the key advisor to the Commander on matters of welfare, discipline, career progression, and readiness for 25 members. Master Sergeant Esteban works closely 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’ concerns. He has also held leadership roles including Section Chief of Resources, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Supply, and Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of a Music Performance Team.
In 2017, Master Sergeant Esteban deployed as the ADVON for the United States Air Force Academy Band to Southwest Asia, supporting the morale of U.S. and coalition troops and promoting 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 Command Band. While there, he navigated pandemic restrictions to enable Department of Defense collaborations with Qatar, supporting the Department of State’s Qatar–United States of America Year of Culture initiative. He employed soft power capabilities to boost bilateral interoperability, leading two teams of Airmen and civilians to disrupt adversarial narratives across three nations. As the sole band liaison during a three-month Officer in Charge absence, he facilitated the return of music performance teams after a nine-month hiatus. His efforts directly supported 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, Master Sergeant Esteban Nuñez studied under Arthur Bouton, Malcom Lynn Baker, César López, Mark Harris, and Anthony Dagradi. He received the 2004 Kanter Plaut Foundation Award for “Most Outstanding Senior in Performance” and the Lamont School of Music Senior Recital of Distinction. In 2002, he was a member of the Saxophone Quartet that won the Lamont Chamber Music Competition at the University of Denver. In 2000, he performed at Carnegie Hall with the National Wind Ensemble.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance, University of Denver, Denver, Colo.
2012 Airman Leadership School, Kapaun Air Base, Germany
2012 Associate of Applied Science in Music, Community College of the Air Force (distance learning)
2012 Music Certificate, Berklee College of Music (distance learning)
2020 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Air University, Colorado Springs, Colo. (distance learning)
2021 Introduction to Culture, Air Force Culture and Language Center, Peterson Air Base, Colo. (distance learning)
2021 Japanese Language I, University of Maryland Global Campus, Yokota Air Base, Japan (distance learning)
2023 Language Intensive Training Event (LITE) – Spanish, Language Acquisition Resource Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif.
2024 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Yokota Air Base, Japan (distance learning)
2024 Language Intensive Training Event – Integrated Deterrence/Advanced Special Emphasis, Bogotá, Colombia
2024 Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute (distance learning)
ASSIGNMENTS
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September 2005 – May 2009, Saxophonist, United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
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May 2009 – August 2011, Saxophonist, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach Air Base, Germany
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August 2011 – August 2016, Saxophonist, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
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August 2016 – August 2021, Saxophonist, United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
(October 2017 – February 2018, ADVON, USAFCENT Band, Southwest Asia)
(July 2020 – January 2021, Superintendent, USAFCENT Band, Southwest Asia)
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September 2021 – Present, Regional Band Saxophonist and First Sergeant, United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Yokota Air Base, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with 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 USAFE Band, NCO of the 4th Quarter
2015 USAFE 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 of the 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 Enabled 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)