Mr. Michael Richter is the Director of Operations, United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is responsible for planning and scheduling Band of Flight missions throughout the state of Ohio and its surrounding regions in accordance with regulations and the priorities of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, and the 88th Air Base Wing. Mr. Richter advises senior Air Force and community leaders on the use of bands in the service of Air Force community relations, recruiting, ceremonial, and troop morale efforts while providing guidance and support to the Band’s Senior Enlisted Leader and it’s 15 active-duty musicians.
Originally from of Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, Mr. Richter earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he studied with renowned trumpeter George Vosburgh and performed as a substitute trumpet with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. As an Air Force bandsman, Mr. Richter performed in support of public affairs missions in 24 countries and 26 states. He performed as principal trumpet with Celine Dion, Amy Grant, The Judds, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and many more. He led the Wings of Dixie Traditional Jazz Ensemble’s first ever performance at the International Dixieland Jazz Fest in Dresden Germany and the Band of The Air Force Reserve Brass Quintet to more than 60 features on National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Mr. Richter advanced to the role of Superintendent of the Air Force Band of Flight in Dayton, Ohio in 2019 and completed his master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology later that year. He was then selected to serve as Superintendent of the Commander’s Action Group for Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, where he advised senior leaders, designed command-wide conferences, and coordinated efforts across AFMC’s entire $89B enterprise. After retiring from active duty in 2021, Mr. Richter returned to service in 2022 as a civilian in his current position.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor’s Degree, Music Performance, Duquesne University, PA
2005 Airman Leadership School, Robins AFB, GA
2010 NCO Academy, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2016 SNCOA, Maxwell Air Force Base-Gunter Annex, AL
2019 Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Touro University, CA
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. Sep 2001 - Aug 2009, Trumpet & Band Operations Specialist, Band of the Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB, GA
2. Aug 2009 - Jul 2011, Trumpet & Director, Wings of Dixie Jazz Ensemble, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AFB, Germany
3. Aug 2011 - Dec 2018, Director, Wright Brass and Spirit of Freedom Brass Ensembles, United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
4. Jan 2019 - Dec 2019, Superintendent, United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
5. Jan 2020 - Aug 2021, Superintendent, Commander’s Action Group, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
6. Sep 2022 - present, Director of Operations, United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2004 AFRC Public Affairs Achievement Award, Outstanding Band Airman
2004 HQ Air Force Reserve Command Airman of the Year
2005 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2014 AFSNCOA CMSgt Richard L. Etchenberger Team Award
2018 AFSA Kittyhawk Chapter 751 Band Member of the Year
(Current as of March 2023)