Mr. Raymond Landon

Raymond S. Landon III is the Musical Resources Specialist for the USAF Heritage of America Band.  In this capacity, he provides oversight to the band’s operations and publicity sections, serving a 15-state area of responsibility.  He serves as a principal musical advisor to USAF and Air Combat Command senior officials, and is a lead project manager for band initiatives. 

 

During his Air Force career, Mr. Landon has been a part of over 2200 live performances encompassing all facets of the band’s mission, including Airman morale, community relations programs, and international partnership building events.  He has had various musical and leadership roles in over fifty Air Force band recording projects, and was part of the first musical performance team deployed from the USAF Heritage of America Band to Southwest Asia in 2005.  He has been a part of performances with numerous guest artists including Chuck Mangione, Louis Bellson, The New York Voices, The Letterman, The Miracles, Arturo Sandoval, June Carter Cash, and Kim Nazarian.

 

Mr. Landon's music career began as a band and choral director in Shelbyville, Illinois. He enlisted with the United States Air Force in 1984, and was assigned to the USAF Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, VA, where he served in many roles to include instrumentalist, vocalist, audio engineer, superintendent, and band manager. He retired from active duty in 2006, transitioned to civilian pay grade and assumed duties as the band's Director of Operations. In August of 2012 he was re-assigned as the band's Musical Resources Specialist.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, an Associate degree in Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary.

 

1981 Bachelor of Music Education, Illinois State University

1987 USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course

1990 USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School

1996 USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Academy

1999 USAF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Correspondence Course

1999 Associate Degree in Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force

2002 USAF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy

2012 Master of Business Administration, Mason School of Business, College of William and Mary

 

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal, third oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, third oak leaf cluster

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, sixth oak leaf cluster

Air Force Good Conduct Medal, sixth oak leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal with bronze star

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Air Force Longevity Service Award, fourth oak leaf cluster

USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, third oak leaf cluster

Air Force Training Ribbon

 

1987 Distinguished Graduate, USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course

1990 John L. Levitow Award, Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School

1996 Distinguished Graduate, USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Academy

1999 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band

1999 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Air Combat Command Public Affairs

2001 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band

2004 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band

2008 Civilian Specialist of the Year, Air Combat Command Public Affairs

2012 Best Integrated Communication Award, USAF Public Affairs

2013 Civilian Specialist of the Year, Air Combat Command Public Affairs

2013 Best Innovative Program Award for Communication Excellence, USAF Public Affairs

 

(Current as of October 2020)