Master Sergeant James A. Hubbard is a trombonist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Band of Flight. He is the music director of the brass quintet Spirit of Freedom.
Sergeant Hubbard began his career in the Air Force on February 11, 2013. He graduated Basic Military Training as an honor graduate in April. His first station was Langley Air Force Base, VA.While at Langley MSgt Hubbard completed his Doctoral Degree in Music Performance and has since fully utilized the teachings of his professors: Don Snowden, Grier Williams, Larry Campbell, Willis Delony, Brian Shaw, Seth Orgel, Michael Powell, and Ray Anderson. Prior to his current position at WPAFB, Sergeant Hubbard was the NCOIC of operations training at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. In addition, he was the NCOIC, Musical Director, and Operations Representative for the traditional New Orleans Jazz Ensemble “Wings of Swing."
Sergeant Hubbard spent 7 years at USAFE and shined there. His musical leadership was vital to the success of 331 missions with five teams delivering strategic Air Force messages to audiences from 60 countries throughout two Geographic Combatant Commands (Africa and Europe). With performances for seventeen ambassadors and fifteen Heads of State, he was integral to strengthening diplomatic relationships between key strategic allies and partners. Additionally, Sergeant Hubbard was a regularly featured soloist in groundbreaking musical operations throughout eastern Germany and Ukraine and was a featured soloist with the Kyiv National Philharmonic Orchestra.
EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Music Education, Louisiana State University
2010 Master of Trombone Performance, Stony Brook University, SUNY Long Island
2014 Doctor of Musical Arts, Stony Brook University, SUNY Long Island
2017 Associates Degree, Fine Arts and Music, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Airman Leadership School, Distinguished Graduate, Kisling NCO Academy
2021 Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Kisling Virtual NCO Academy
ASSIGNMENTS
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Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA May 2013 - Nov 2015
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Ramstein AFB, Germany Nov 2015 - Nov 2018
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Ramstein AFB, Germany Nov 2018 - Nov 2022
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Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Nov 2022- present
DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service with one oak leaf cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Air and Space Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class February 11, 2013
Senior Airman June 11, 2015
Staff Sergeant June 1, 2017
Technical Sergeant February 1, 2021
Master Sergeant June 2024
Updated portrait and bio pending.
(Current as of January 2023)