Technical Sergeant Keisha Gwin Technical Sergeant Keisha Gwin is a vocalist with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. She currently serves as the NCOIC of Starlifter and Assistant Director of Operations. Sergeant Gwin joined the Air Force in 1997 and was stationed at Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) at Hurlburt Field, FL where she served as a logistics technician in the 16th Helicopter Generation Squadron. In 1999 she performed on a one year tour with the Air Force entertainment group Tops in Blue. Following Tops in Blue, Sergeant Gwin auditioned for the U.S. Air Force Bands and Music program and was stationed with the Air Force Band of Liberty at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. In 2004, she deployed to southwest Asia for the Air Force Band's career field first-ever deployment under OIF/OEF. In 2005, Sergeant Gwin was reassigned to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach Air Base for three years where she had the privilege of serving and bringing the Air Force message throughout Europe. Sergeant Gwin arrived at the Band of Mid-America in 2008. In 2009, she deployed on a joint humanitarian mission with the USNS Hospital Ship Comfort, another first for the Air Force Band's career field. In 2014, Sergeant Gwin deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout her career with the band, Sergeant Gwin has proudly served as: Public Affairs Representative, Unit Deployment Manager, Finance Clerk, Operations Representative, Commander's Support Staff, and marketing NCOIC. Sergeant Gwin has studied voice with Berklee College of Music voice professors, Jan Shapiro and Charles Sorrento, as well as Janice Borla, professional vocalist and voice professor at North Central College in Naperville, IL. As a musician, Sergeant Gwin has developed competence as a vocalist and is versatile in style, singing jazz, rock, pop, blues and ballads. As a recording artist, she has been featured on six United States Air Force Band recording projects and a handful of demos including Stone Crazy by the J. Geils Band. In her time with the Air Force Band, Sergeant Gwin has performed with Jamie O'Neal, Lee Greenwood, John Popper and Latin pop stars Melina Leon and Juanes. EDUCATION 1997 - Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas 2001 - Airman Leadership School, Hurlburt Field, Florida 2008 - Associates in Applied Science, Logistics, Community College of the Air Force 2010 - Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama 2011 - Associates in Applied Science, Music, Community College of the Air Force 2014 - Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, (non-residence), Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA 2016 - Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications & Journalism, University of Maryland - University College ASSIGNMENTS November 1997 - August 2001, Supply Journeyman, Hurlburt Field, Florida August 2001 - May 2005, USAF Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts May 2005 - May 2008, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach AB, Germany May 2008 - Present, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Navy Achievement Medal AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device Air Force Organizational Excellence Awards National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2004 NCO of the Year, Band of Liberty, & HQ Electronic Systems Center Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts 2005 NCO of the Year & USAFE/PA, Sembach AB, Germany 2009 NCO of the Year, Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois 2009 AMC/Public Affairs (PA) Outstanding Bandsman NCO of the Year, Scott AFB, Illinois 2010 NCO of the Year, Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois 2011 AMC/PA Outstanding Bandsman NCO of the Year, Scott AFB, Illinois 2011 Outstanding Communications NCO of the Year, Scott AFB, Illinois 2012 NCO of the Year, Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois 2014 NCO of the Year, Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois 2014 AMC/PA NCO of the Year, Scott AFB, Illinois 2014 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award, Scott AFB, Illinois EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Airman Basic 9 Jul 1997 Airman 9 Jan 1998 Airman First Class 9 Nov 1998 Senior Airman (Below the Zone) 9 Jan 2000 Staff Sergeant 1 Aug 2001 Technical Sergeant 1 Dec 2007