News>Night Wing performs for students at local school
Photos
Master Sgt. Rick Baisden (left) and Airman 1st Class Lee Heerspink perform for upper elementary school children at a local school March 15, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker)
Senior Airman Ryan Rager (left) and Airman 1st Class Melissa Rager perform for upper elementary school children at a local school March 15, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker)
Airman 1st Class Melissa Rager (vocals), Staff Sgt. David Pojar (drums), Airman 1st Class Ryan Persaud (bass guitar) and Airman 1st Class Lee Heerspink (guitar) perform for upper elementary school children at a local school March 15, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker)
Airman 1st Class Ryan Persaud (bass guitar) performs for upper elementary school children at a local school March 15, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker)
Master Sgt. Rick Baisden (guitar) performs for upper elementary school children at a local school March 15, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker)
by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
3/16/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The U.S. Air Forces Central Band Night Wing performed for more than 200 students at a local school here March 15.
The visit was the band's first performance in the community since arriving at their deployed location and the first performance of the year for upper elementary school students at the school.
"The music was so good, I just had to jump up and down," said Aaron, a student. "I knew all the songs and it's so cool when they come here."
The band performed current hits such as Katy Perry's "Firework" and Adele's "Someone Like You," and also took a look back with Guns N'Roses' "Sweet Child O'Mine" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."
"I didn't expect the kids to know the older songs, but they knew them pretty well and even sang along," said Night Wing vocalist Airman 1st Class Melissa Rager. "They seemed really into the music and we had a great time playing for them.
"They had a lot of energy," she added.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Warner, AFCENT Band officer in charge, said performing at the school was a unique opportunity as they begin their deployment as the AFCENT Band.
"It's great that the band can perform in the local community as an extension of a community relations program," Warner said. "From a more technical standpoint, it's also a great venue to make sure everything works before we send our teams out to raise morale and build partnerships in the AFCENT area of responsibility."
The band is scheduled to visit several bases throughout the AFCENT AOR in the next couple months, performing for service members, embassy delegates, and local nationals.
Night Wing is an ensemble that performs as the country and rock component of the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Their music includes current Top 40 Hits in pop, rock and country, as well as popular classic rock and 80s hits. They represent more than 325,000 Airmen fighting for freedom worldwide.
