Staff Sergeant Alex Liu Macias serves as Guitarist for the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. In this role, he performs with the rock band “Full Spectrum” in support of Department of Defense and Air Force outreach, recruiting, and troop support initiatives across a fifteen state region.
A native of Guayaquil, Ecuador, Sergeant Liu Macias attended the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. There, he earned a Bachelor and Master of Music in Jazz Studies. In 2011, he was honored to receive the Jazz Education Network’s David Baker Scholarship, which recognizes promising young jazz students annually.
Sergeant Liu Macias enlisted in the Air Force in November 2017 and was first assigned to the Band of the West at Lackland AFB, Texas as guitarist for “Top Flight.” He was then reassigned in 2019 to the U.S. Air Forces Europe Band in Germany, where he served as Guitarist for the “Jazz Ambassadors.” While part of the Jazz Ambassadors, he performed in support of USAFE-AFAFRICA multi-national military and community engagements.
Additionally, Sergeant Liu Macias deployed in support of operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM as a member of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band. During these deployments, he performed for troops at numerous bases throughout Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, as well as for embassy events in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
EDUCATION:
2014: Airman Leadership School, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
2015: Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Indiana University
2017: Master of Music in Jazz Studies, Indiana University
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. April 2009 – August 2011; 562nd Air Force Band, 146th Airlift Wing, CA
2. September 2009 – December 2009; student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, TX
3. August 2011 – May 2015; 181st Force Support Squadron, 181st Intelligence Wing, IN
4. May 2015 – November 2017; 566th Air Force Band, 182nd Airlift Wing, IL
5. November 2017 – July 2019; Top Flight, Band of the West, JBSA-Lackland, TX
6. July 2019 – July 2022; The Jazz Ambassadors, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
7. July 2022 – present; Full Spectrum, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
AF Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
Airman Leadership School Distinguished Graduate, 2014
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Staff Sergeant 27 Nov 2017
(Current as of November 2023)