Lieutenant Colonel Michael D. Hoerber is the Director of Operations for The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. where he plans and oversees more than 1,600 annual missions in the National Capital Region, across the United States and around the world. He recently championed USSOUTHCOM Commander Priorities by leading the first-ever deployment of a Department of Defense music team during RESOLUTE SENTINEL 2024 in Peru. Prior to his arrival in Washington, D.C., Colonel Hoerber served as the Commander, United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Yokota Air Base, Japan, and its detachment at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii from 2018-2021. While serving in the Pacific, Colonel Hoerber led strategic engagements in support of Pacific Air Forces’ priorities, utilizing the soft power capabilities of music to expand vital relationships, counter adversarial messages and foster trust between an increasingly diverse group of allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region.
Lieutenant Colonel Hoerber joined the United States Air Force in July 2006. Upon graduation as a Distinguished Graduate from Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, Colonel Hoerber was assigned as Deputy Commander/Assistant Conductor of the USAF Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. He has since served as the Commander/Conductor of four USAF Regional Bands: The USAF Heartland of America Band (2009-2011), the USAF Band of the West at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (2011-2013), the USAF Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia (2013-2018) and [as mentioned above], The USAF Band of the Pacific (2018-2021). The Colonel is currently the only band officer in the Air Force to have deployed three times to the U.S. Central Command region as Officer in Charge of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) Band in 2011, 2016-17 & 2022. During his most recent deployment, he led all aspects of creating the first-ever bilateral ceremonial band comprised of members of the Qatari Armed Forces Band and the AFCENT Band for the 2022 AFCENT Change of Command.
Colonel Hoerber recently appeared with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for their 2024 Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular and has guest conducted both the Virginia Symphony and Omaha Symphony orchestras.
Units under his leadership have been recognized with several Headquarters Air Force level awards to include the Air Force Public Affairs Communication Excellence Award for “Most Innovative Program.” Additionally, Airmen under his leadership have been featured with several nominated and Grammy winning artists to include Joe Bonamassa, Kris Allen, Chris Daughtry, Jimmy Bruno and Harry Connick Jr.
Before joining the Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel Hoerber attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where he studied clarinet with Dr. Robert Spring and instrumental conducting with Dr. Timothy Russell, Dr. Richard Strange, Dr. William Reber and Prof. Gary W. Hill. After completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he became the Music Director of the North Valley Chamber Orchestra. As Director of Bands at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona (2002-2006) he was nationally recognized by the Nobel Foundation as an Outstanding High School Educator for 2006.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor’s Music Education – Instrumental Music, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2000 Master’s Music Education – Instrumental Conducting, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2006 Distinguished Graduate, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2007 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2013 Public Affairs Qualification Course, Defense Information School, Ft. George G. Meade, MD
2019 Air Command and Staff College (by correspondence), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2023 Air War College (by correspondence), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
National Medal of the Arts
National Defense Service Medal
Global War or Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal with two bronze star devices
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Air and Space Basic Course (ASBC), Class 07B – Top Flight Member
ASBC, 2007 – Col (Ret.) "Bud" Day “Bone-Crusher” Award (Most Athletic Flight) Member
2007 Company Grade Officer of the 2nd Quarter, Air Combat Command (ACC) Public Affairs
2009 Company Grade Officer of the 3rd Quarter, ACC Public Affairs
2009 Outstanding Band Company Grade Officer, ACC Public Affairs Communication Excellence
2009 Company Grade Officer of the Year, ACC Public Affairs
2017 Field Grade Officer of the Year, ACC Public Affairs
2019 Field Grade Officer of the Year, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Public Affairs
2022 Field Grade Officer of the Year, 11th Operations Group
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant: 29 Sep 2006
First Lieutenant: 29 Sep 2008
Captain: 29 Sep 2010
Major: 1 Nov 2016
Lieutenant Colonel: 1 Feb 2021