SSgt Courtney Woods serves as a vocalist with the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hawaii. She began her journey in 2017 with the United States Air Force Band of the West at Lackland AFB, TX, where she toured the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Chile. While in Texas, she proudly ushered many musicians into career with the Air Force Band as the head of Lackland’s busy auditions team.
In 2022, SSgt Woods deployed with the AFCENT Band for a three-nation tour across the Middle East. In 2024, she relocated to Hawaii, where she now combines her passion for music with her role supporting USINDOPACOM theater priorities—all while living out her dream of island life.
A native of Rhode Island, SSgt Woods followed an unconventional path to her musical career. After winning several karaoke contests, she threw herself into music, joining a local band that performed around the state. She later formed “The Hot Tickets”, an interactive 1940s-inspired duo that used music as therapy to individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Additionally, she worked as a puppeteer for Rock-a-Baby RI, a preschool puppet band that introduced children, ages 6 months to 6 years, to the fundamentals of music theory. When she’s not performing, SSgt Woods enjoys making memories with friends and family, basking in the sunshine of Hawaii’s stunning beaches, and hunting for treasures at thrift stores.
EDUCATION:
2013: Bachelor of Arts, Rhode Island College
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. October 2017-December 2017—Basic Military Training, JBSA-Lackland AFB, Texas
2. December 2017—February 2024, Band of the West, JBSA-Lackland AFB, Texas
3. February 2024 - Band of the Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Senior Airman - 01 April 2020
Last updated 15 Feb 2024