Master Sergeant (MSgt) Lisa A. Drefke currently serves as the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band’s Publicity Section Chief. She oversees the Productions, Social Media, and Advertising teams; directs the marketing plan and virtual outreach mission schedule for six ensembles; and manages the unit’s seven social media platforms. In addition, Sergeant Drefke serves as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the fifteen member Heritage Brass ensemble, leading the team’s mission execution and synchronizing performances with Air Force strategic messaging objectives.
Sergeant Drefke enlisted in 2000 and has performed on trombone, vocals, and euphonium for military and civilian audiences worldwide. Highlights include being stationed in Italy with the multi-national Allied Forces Band, as well as performances for the Mt. Rushmore Independence Day celebration, Albuquerque Balloon Festival, Tournament of Roses Parade, Wonju Marching Tattoo in South Korea, Germany’s NATO Fest, and four Presidential visits. Sergeant Drefke deployed with the very first Air Force band to serve aboard the USNS Comfort in support of Southern Command’s four-month operation, CONTINUING PROMISE, advancing US interests and strengthening international partnerships with 25,000 people throughout seven South and Central American countries. Sergeant Drefke has also performed with world-renowned musicians such as Joe Alessi, Wycliffe Gordon, Lee Greenwood, Eddie Daniels, Matt Niess, Frank Mantooth, and the Boston Brass.
A native of Lakewood, Colorado, Sergeant Drefke received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and studied with Edwin “Buddy” Baker and Nathaniel Wickham. In addition to her academic pursuits, Sergeant Drefke performed with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Fort Collins Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, and the Jimmy B. Jazz Orchestra.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Arts, Music Performance, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
2004 Airman Leadership School, Offutt Air Force Base, NE
2009 Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
2013 Associate of Applied Science, Music, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I
2015 Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II
2019 Professional Manager’s Certification
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jul 2000 - Aug 2005, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE
2. Aug 2005 - Aug 2007, Allied Forces Band, Allied Joint Force Command, Naples, Italy
3. Aug 2007 - Nov 2016, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
4. Nov 2016 - Nov 2019, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Tokyo, Japan
5. Nov 2019 - present, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 4 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 Distinguished Graduate, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
2009 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Band of the West
2009 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 37 TRW Wing Staff Agency
2011 502 ABW SSgt Frost Outstanding Communication Award
2018 Public Affairs Communication Excellence Award, USAF Band of the Pacific
2019 Public Affairs Communication Excellence Award, USAF Band of the Pacific
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class 07 Jun 2000
Senior Airman 07 Oct 2002
Staff Sergeant 01 Jan 2005
Technical Sergeant 01 Jul 2008
Master Sergeant 01 Jun 2012
(Current as of November 2020)