Senior Airman Kai Logan Hammond is a saxophonist with the USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan. He also serves as the Unit Safety Representative and a photographer.
SrA Hammond began his Air Force career in October of 2021. Prior to his current position, SrA Hammond served as one of the unit’s videographers, photographers, and video editors at the Band of the Golden West in Travis AFB, California.
SrA Hammond is a 2018 graduate of Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies. In 2020, he received a Master of Music in jazz studies from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl. During his studies, A1C Hammond performed and toured with many internationally renowned jazz artists such as Kenny Barron, Anat Cohen, Rufus Reid, Conrad Herwig, Russell Malone, Harvey Mason, and Michael Mossman. SrA Hammond was a sideman in jazz groups such as the Leon Anderson quartet, Scotty Barnhart Quintet, and the Bob Dogan Quartet. A1C Hammond was also the leader of his own jazz quartet in Florida called the Kai Hammond Quartet. SrA Hammond was also a saxophonist for the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and he recorded with Parliament Funkadelic members Fred Wesley and George Clinton.
EDUCATION
2018 – Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Michigan State University
2020 – Masters of Music in Jazz Studies, Florida State University
December 2021 – Basic Military Training
ASSIGNMENTS
- December 2021 - July 2023, Regional Band Saxophonist, Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
- July 2023 – Present, Regional Band Saxophonist, PACAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS DEVICES
- Air and Space Achievement Medal 0
- National Defense Service Medal 0
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 0
- Basic Military Training Honor Graduate 0
- AF Training Ribbon 0
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Senior Airman – February 2024
Airman First Class – October 2021
(Current as of February 2024)