Technical Sergeant Elizabeth Z. Barnette plays the horn for the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in support of USAFE-AFAFRICA initiatives including building and preserving partnerships through official multi-national military, and international community outreach events.
In 1998, Sergeant Barnette joined the Air Force and was assigned to the Heartland of America Band near Omaha, NE, where she served for almost nine years. Sergeant Barnette left the Air Force in 2007, reenlisting in 2017 to serve in the Band of the West. Notable performances Sergeant Barnette has participated in include Fourth of July celebrations at Mount Rushmore, and the Funeral and Internment services for former President George H. W. Bush. Outside of the Air Force, she has performed with a wide variety of acclaimed musicians, from Yo-Yo Ma and Midori to John Denver and Weird Al Yankovic.
EDUCATION:
1991 Bachelor of Music, Rice University
1993 Master of Music, Rice University
2002 Airman Leadership School
2021 Non-commissioned Officer Academy
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. August 1998 - February 2007; Horn, Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
2. March 2017 – August 2021; Horn, Band of the West, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
3. August 2021 – Present; Horn, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Technical Sergeant January 1, 2021
(Current as of October 2021)