A Max Impact in Southeast Asia

Published May 1, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Cerovich

Washington, D.C. -- Max Impact, the premier rock band of the United States Air Force, is currently preparing for their upcoming deployment.

These seven airmen from The United States Air Force Band will deploy later this summer to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as part of Air Force Central Command's Public Affairs mission. From there, they will travel all over southwest Asia supporting US and coalition forces as well as building diplomatic partnerships with various host nations.

The band just completed expeditionary-combat training, Fieldcraft Hostile--or FC-H--at Joint Base Dix-McGuire, NJ. Max Impact's Non Commissioned Officer-in-Charge, Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Carson says, "I have absolutely loved this training, every minute. So many great instructors and such important skill being taught. I'm thankful I had this opportunity!"

Max Impact as a flight is no stranger to expeditionary missions. Among their ranks, they have 19 deployments collectively.

"Even in combat training, your individual responsibility equates to your teams' success. The same applies musically. We have to trust that everyone will do their part individually to contribute to the success of the overall ensemble," says Carson.

For the newest member of the band, Technical Sergeant Nalani Quintello, this will be her first deployment. Her incredible skill and poise were highlighted in Max Impact's 2015 wildly popular music video, "American Airman," and will certainly be on full display while overseas. "Deploying is one of our most important missions in the Air Force Band. It's also the main reason that I decided to join the military," says Quintello. "I want to make a difference and use music as a universal language to impact lives, whether it be our fellow service members, coalition forces or civilians. We're excited to bring a touch of home to the brave men and women that protect our freedom."

The United States Air Force Band has a proud tradition of expeditionary missions. The Airmen of Note, for example, is a direct descendant of the revolutionary service of Major Glenn Miller and his Army Air Corps dance band. The flight chief of the Airmen of Note, Chief Master Sergeant Timothy Leahey, deployed in 2015 with "Nighthawk," a group comprised of members from various flights within the Air Force Band.

Speaking of his most recent deployment, Leahey says, "To me, the most impactful missions we did were in forward deployed locations for people who didn't get to see much of anything other than the duties of war. It felt like they appreciated us the most and it was an honor to get to bring that little piece of home to them."

"Everything in Max Impact is done as a team. We have discovered that individual accomplishments mean nothing without your teammates that surround you," says Carson. "Because of this sense of team, we will be able to do what we enjoy most: entertain our fellow service members and coalition partners, help them all forget about their job for a few minutes or hours and last, but most importantly, continue to bridge those cultural and diplomatic gaps using the power of music as our weapon system. If we do that, we have accomplished our mission."