Technical Sergeant Ben Kersey, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an audio engineer for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. In addition to his musical responsibilities, he is the Section Chief of Readiness and NCOIC of the popular music ensemble Pacific Trends.
TSgt Kersey entered the Air Force in the fall of 2016 and graduated from Basic Military Training that December. In the summer of 2022, Sgt Kersey graduated from Roger’s Airman Leadership School in San Antonio, TX. He received the awards of Distinguished Graduate and Unsung Hero, an honor given by his peers and classmates. Ben most recently completed the Non-Commissioned Officer Foundations Course in 2024.
TSgt Kersey has deployed to the Middle East three times with USAF bands, providing musical support and troop morale in Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, UAE, and Uzbekistan. While deployed, Ben and the Air Force band assisted the United States in a collaborative effort with host-nation dignitaries to reinforce long-standing relationships and build new bridges of communication that resulted in stronger international relations.
Prior to his Air Force career, TSgt Kersey earned a degree in Audio Engineering from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Phoenix, AZ. He worked professionally for 10 years at a private school leading the audio/visual department and teaching high school classes. He has held many worship-leading positions at various churches and military chapels during the past 16 years. Ben and his wife, Amy, have two boys. His favorite hobbies include exploring new donut shops and spending time with his family.
EDUCATION
2006 Audio Engineering Degree, Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, Phoenix, Ariz.
2016 Basic Military Training, San Antonio, Texas
2018 Field Craft Hostile, Fort Dix, N.J.
2022 Airman Leadership School, San Antonio, Texas
2024 NCO Foundations Course, Omaha, Neb.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2016 – July 2022, Audio Engineer, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (April 2018 – July 2018, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar) (January 2022 – April 2022, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
2. July 2022 – June 2026, Audio Engineer, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. (April – July 2025, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
3. June 2026 – Present, Audio Engineer, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Aug. 18, 2017
Senior Airman Oct. 18, 2019
Staff Sergeant Dec. 1, 2021
Technical Sergeant May 1, 2026
(Current as of June 2026)