26 Jan 2010 -- As one of the oldest bands in the Air Force, The United States Air Force Band of Flight has an unbroken record of service since its formation and has remained at its original location for its entire history.
The band was activated on September 24, 1942, at Patterson Field (later Wright-Patterson AFB), Ohio, as the 361st Army Air Force Band. Between 1942 and 1948 the band was renamed three times: as the 661st Army Band, then as the 661st Army Air Forces Band, and finally as the 661st Air Force Band on January 2, 1948, not quite four months after the Air Force became a separate branch of service. The band was ultimately re-designated as The Air Force Band of Flight in 1991.
In celebration of this rich history and of those who created it, we are very fortunate to maintain a relationship with the band's founder, Paul S. Shartle, and two of the band's original members, Paul Royer, and Frank George. These gentlemen are three of the five original members still living today. During a 2008 interview, they shared a few stories about the band's early days.
In 1942, at "Tent City" (the nickname for the recruit division at Patterson Field) an announcement was made over the PA system declaring the need for a marching band to provide music for the recruits to march to on the flightline. Paul Shartle (although told never to volunteer in the service) volunteered to put together a marching band for the recruits - today's Air Force now has an official Drum and Bugle corps squadron of trainees at Lackland Air Force Base for this purpose. Shartle was having trouble getting any of the recruits to admit to playing an instrument. He sought guidance from leadership, and here's how his job became easier: The officer in charge of the 3rd Station Compound (recruits), said "If you can get the guys to volunteer, I'll freeze them here at the post; they won't be shipped out!"
While today the United States Air Force Band of Flight performs at such variegated venues as the Dayton Masonic Center, the Michigan State Capital frontage, and Cleveland's Severance Hall, the band's very first performance was at the Fairgrounds in Dayton. According to Mr. Paul Royer, "the bugler started a third too low and played the whole thing in minor!"
The Air Force Band of Flight squadron is occasionally visited by its alumni, and it is always a delightful opportunity and valuable learning experience to reminisce with them as they outline a typical schedule in their day, explain how they joined the band, comment on their physical fitness regimen, illustrate their living arrangements, or discuss the band's regular performance venues and settings. If any Wright Notes readers are alumni of the band, we welcome your stories and invite you to keep in touch.
The Air Force Band of Flight would like to send a special thanks to Mr. Shartle, Mr. Royer, and Mr. George for their efforts in the 1940's to create a legacy of military music and troop morale that we are fortunate enough to share today.