An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
HomeMultimediaNewsArticle Display






Come celebrate our birthday with us!

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brooke Emery
Washington D.C. --  Fans of our Summer Concert Series will get one last chance to see the Band perform outdoors this season on Sept. 13 at the Air Force Memorial, in a birthday concert celebrating 66 years of our great United States Air Force. The concert will feature works dedicated to powered flight, and the brave men and women who serve our nation in uniform. Also featured will be original works by Senior Master Sgt. Robert Thurston, including "High Flight" and "Upon this Hill," both musical settings of poetry on the themes of flight and sacrifice. Trumpet soloist Master Sgt. Christian Pagnard will present an exciting solo for trumpet entitled "Excursions," and conductor emeritus, retired Col. Arnald D. Gabriel will conduct the popular John Williams work "Hymn to the Fallen."

The official date of the founding of the Air Force is Sept. 18, 1947, when President Truman signed the National Security Act which established this new defense organization, and along with it the creation of the U.S. Air Force as an independent service, equal to the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.

Dedicated on Oct. 14, 2006, The Air Force Memorial honors the service of the personnel of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. The Memorial is located in Arlington, Va. on the grounds of Fort Myer near the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, at the intersection of Columbia Pike and South Joyce Street. Parking shuttles are available directly across from the Memorial. For specific directions and parking information,please click here.

Also, all events by The U.S. Air Force Band are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, including excessive heat. For up-to-the-minute information, please call 202-767-5658 or check out our Facebook or Twitter feeds via the Band's home page.

Please note that although our traditional summer concerts begin at 8 p.m., this concert on Sept. 13 will begin at 7 p.m., due to the earlier fall sunset. We hope you will join us to celebrate 66 amazing years as a service to our nation!