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.
EDUCATION
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
ASSIGNMENTS
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1984 - 1989, 564th Air Force Band, Langley AFB, VA
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1989 - 1991, 564th Tactical Air Command Band, Langley AFB, VA
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1991 - 1992, Tactical Air Command Band, Langley AFB, VA
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1992 - 1997, Air Combat Command Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, VA
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1997 - present, USAF Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, VA
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
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
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)