Technical Sergeant Daniel Thrower is a trumpet player for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Pacific Brass, Approving Official for Finances, NCOIC of Supply, and is responsible for the unit’s Computer Shop. He is also a prolific composer and has earned two Air Force-level awards for his original works.
Sergeant Thrower enlisted in the Air Force in April 2011. Prior to that, he earned a Bachelor and Master of Music from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University. He held faculty appointments at Brigham Young University, BYU-Idaho, Utah Valley University, the College of Eastern Utah, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Career highlights include supporting the 2017 Presidential Inauguration, performing the National Anthem at major sporting events, and representing the Air Force at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, Pa., with three featured presentations. Before his current assignment, he served as Music Director and later NCOIC of Offutt Brass at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Music, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
2002 Master of Music, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
2007 Doctor of Musical Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
2013 Associate of Applied Science: Music, Community College of the Air Force
2015 Airman Leadership School, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2011 – June 2015, Trumpet, USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. June 2015 – June 2023, Trumpet/NCOIC Offutt Brass, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Neb.
3. June 2023 – Present, Trumpet/NCOIC Pacific Brass, Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class April 26, 2011
Senior Airman Feb. 26, 2013
Staff Sergeant Jan. 1, 2016
Technical Sergeant Sep. 1, 2024
(Current as of September 2025)