Technical Sergeant Michael Mannella is a trombonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. He also serves as the unit’s NCOIC of “The Commander’s” Jazz Ensemble and Unit Deployment Manager. Originally from Detroit, Michigan his] Air Force career began in 2005 with The USAF Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts.
Technical Sergeant Mannella is a 2000 graduate of The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in trombone performance. In 2002, Michael received a Masters Degree in trombone performance from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His teachers include Thomas Cook, H. Dennis Smith, David L. Jackson, Randall Hawes, and Nathaniel O. Brickens.
During his AF career, he has performed with Crystal Gayle, Darlene Love, Jane Monheit, John Pizzarelli, Anne Hampton Callaway, President Barack Obama.
EDUCATION
2000 – Bachelors of Music, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2002 – Masters of Music, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2005 – Graduated Basic Military Training
2011 – Graduated ALS, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2018 – Graduated NCO Academy, Maxwell Air Base, Alabama
2020 – Awarded Master Resiliency Certification
ASSIGNMENTS
1. SEPTEMBER 2005] – JUNE 2011, 3N151J, THE BAND OF LIBERTY, HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MASSACHUSSETTS
2. JUNE 2011 – JULY 2013, 3N151J, THE USAFE BAND, RAMSTEIN AB, GERMANY
3. JULY 2013 – OCTOBER 2019, 3N171J, THE HERITAGE OF AMERICA BAND, JBLE, VIRGINIA
4. OCTOBER 2019-OCTOBER 2022, 3N171J, THE BAND OF THE PACIFIC, YOKOTA AB, JAPAN
5. OCTOBER 2022 – PRESENT, 3N171J, THE BAND OF THE GOLDEN WEST, TRAVIS AB, CALIFORNIA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
1. Air and Space Commendation Medal 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
2. Air and Space Achievement Medal 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
3. Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
4. AF Good Conduct Medal 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
5. National Defense Service Medal
6. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
7. Humanitarian Service Medal
8. Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Long 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
9. Air and Space Longevity Service Award 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
10. USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
11. Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2011 – John L. Levitow Award Recipient, Kapaun AB, Germany
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
A1C 06 SEP 2005
SRA 06 JAN 2008
SSgt 01 SEP 2011
TSgt 01 SEP 2018
Current as of March 2023