Technical Sergeant Joseph R. Whitt, Director of Operations, United States Air Force Band of the Pacific Yokota Air Base, Japan. He performs double bass and electric bass in support of PACAF missions including building and preserving partnerships through official multi-national military and international community outreach events.
Joining the Air Force in 2009 Technical Sergeant Whitt has served in the United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Paterson AFB, Ohio, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Base, California. Technical Sergeant Whitt had held positions as, Section Chief of Readiness, Supply Technician, Purchasing Agent, Operations Representative, Vehicle Control Officer, Music Director , Physical Training Leader, Pay Agent, and Government Purchase Card audit NCO. Of significant interest, with the performed with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force Band, Ukraine Presidential Orchestra, The Belarus Ministry of Defense Orchestra, The South African Air Force Entertainment Band, The Rwanda Defense Forces Band, and was a guest soloist with the Ukraine National Symphony and Moldova National Symphony.
An Ohio native Sergeant Whitt has premiered compositions and performed music in concert halls and leading performing arts venues around the globe including performances with The Orlando Philharmonic, Opera Tampa, Haddonfield Symphony, The New Jersey Opera Theater, The Imperial Symphony, Space Coast Symphony, The Bel Canto Singers, The Bach Festival Orchestra, The Central Florida Symphony, The Strauss Symphony, The Lancaster Symphony, The Great Hall Chamber Orchestra, Vox Ama Deus, Voces Novae et Antiqae. Notably, Sergeant Whitt has performed in concert with the San Francisco Symphony. In 1998, Technical Sergeant Whitt was awarded a certificate for outstanding musicianship by the International Association of Jazz Educators. He has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Red Wood Coast Jazz Festival, The Deep Deuce Jazz Festival, and many others. Finally, Technical Sergeant Whitt is an award-winning film composer. 2009-2010 he composed, recorded, performed, and produced music for the short film The Rounder Comes to Town.
Technical Sergeant Joseph R Whitt has deployed three times in support of five operations: IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, OPERATION INHERANT RESOLVE, OPERATION ALLIES REFUGE, and OPERATION ALLIES WELCOME; where he led the logistics for personnel movement of the Air Forces Central Command Band to perform for troops at numerous forward operating bases throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and supporting embassy and community relations initiatives for the Department of State in Qatar, Oman, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
EDUCATION
2003 University of Central Florida, Bachelor in Arts, Double Bass Performance
2005 Temple University, Masters in Arts, Double Bass Performance
2009 Basic Military Training United States Air Force, Lackland Air Base
2010 Combat Airman Skills Training, Guernsey, Wyoming
2013 Airman Leadership School, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2014 Associate Degree, Community College of the Air Force, F&A Art Music
2014 Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Distance Learning Course
2018 Kisling Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2019 SEJPME I, Joint Knowledge On-Line, Non-Residence
2019 Field Craft Hostile, Air Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
2020 Project Management Institute, Certified Associates in Project Management
2020 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Certification, Living Works
2021 Air University, USAF Master Resilience Trainer
2021 Six Sigma, Green Belt Certification, Opus Works
2021 USAF Continuous Improvement Certification, Department of the Air Force
2021 Mental Health First Aid Certification, National Council for Mental Well Being
2022 First Sergeants Symposium, Wright Patterson Air Force Base
ASSIGNMENTS
May 2009-August 2009, trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
September 2009-December 2012, USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, California.
January 2013-January 2021, USAFE Band.
January 2021- July 2023, Readiness Section Chief, Band of Flight, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
August 2023 – Present, Operations Team Lead, United States Air Force Band of the Pacific Yokota Air Base, Japan.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
AF Training Ribbon
2021 Band of Flight Musician of the Year
2022 Tuskegee Airman, SMSgt Margaret Frances Barbour Military Award
2022 Public Affairs Communication Excellence Award
2022 Finley R. Hamilton, Outstanding Military Musician Award
2022 88 Air Base Wing, Wing Staff Agency, NCO of the 4th quarter
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class: 28 August 2009
Senior Airman Below the Zone: 23 April 2011
Staff Sergeant: 1 December 2013
Technical Sergeant: 1 March 2018
(Current as of October 2023)