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Master Sergeant Kelcey McDonald

Master Sergeant Kelcey McDonald is the Section Chief of Readiness for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. His primary duties include serving as the sound engineer for the musical groups Pacific Showcase and Final Approach.

Sergeant McDonald entered the Air Force in February 2004 following a career as an adjunct instructor and television master control operator. Upon completion of Basic Military Training, he was assigned to the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. In 2015, he was assigned to the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia at Yokota Air Base, Japan. After a five-year assignment with the Band of Flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, from 2017 to 2022, he returned to Yokota for a second assignment in April 2022. Prior to his current role, he served as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Productions at Wright-Patterson AFB.

Sergeant McDonald has deployed four times in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE, ALLIES WELCOME, and RESOLUTE SUPPORT, promoting morale, diplomacy, and outreach to coalition partners and embassies throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

EDUCATION

  • 1997 Bachelor of Science, Music Engineering Technology, Hampton University, Hampton, Va.

  • 2009 Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

  • 2010 Associate degree, Music, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

  • 2014 Noncommissioned Officer Professional Enhancement Course, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

  • 2017 Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Non-Residence), Yokota AB, Japan

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. May 2004 – May 2015, Regional Bandsman, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

  2. May 2015 – June 2017, Regional Bandsman, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan

  3. June 2017 – April 2022, NCOIC, Productions, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

  4. April 2022 – Present, Section Chief, Readiness, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Air and Space Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters

  • Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters

  • Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters

  • Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster

  • Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

  • Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters

  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

  • Armed Forces Service Medal

  • Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

  • Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Tour

  • Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and two oak leaf clusters

  • Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters

  • Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star

  • USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon

  • Air Force Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School

  • 2016 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Airman Basic – 24 Feb 2004

  • Airman First Class – 22 May 2004

  • Senior Airman – 24 Jun 2006

  • Staff Sergeant – 1 Nov 2009

  • Technical Sergeant – 1 Aug 2019

  • Master Sergeant – 1 Mar 2023

(Current as of March 2024)