CENTAF Band wins hearts of Djiboutians through music


Staff Sgt. Victoria Bruyette, CENTAF Band, Vocalist, dances with a local Djiboutian girl during a concert held in "Section Six " on January 22, 2008. The CENTAF Band "Live Round" will be performing eight shows in 5 days in Africa for the base and the local community. (U.S. Air Force Photo By: Staff Sgt. Christina M. Styer)

CENTAF Band wins hearts of Djiboutians through music

by Tech. Sgt. Joel Langton
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

1/24/2008 - DJIBOUTI -- The U.S. Central Command Air Forces rock band "Live Round" is falling in love with the country of Djibouti during their five-day tour of the African nation.

"The people here are awesome," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Laukhuf, bass player. "What makes it so enjoyable to play for them is the appreciation they have for the music. Everyone wants to be part of the performance."

The band is a blend of members from the Air Force Academy Band from Colorado Springs, Colo., and the Band of Mid-America from Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Three days into the five-day Djibouti tour, the band has played for nearly 2,000 people at a remote African village, two inner-city community development centers and the national police academy. They have four more shows on tap for the tour, including a performance on Djibouti's national radio station.

Although many band members have shared how the tour has touched their lives, a community leader said the hour-long concert he viewed had a profound impact on his perspective of the American military.

"Djiboutians were very scared of the military," said Mr. Ali Robleh, local community center director. "We thought of them as just wanting to shoot people, but we see that is not the case. Once we came to know each other, we see it is good."

Senior Master Sgt. James Bristow, band concert director, said the people's positive response to the band's presence there was due to the power of music.

"The same way medical care, sports, water and infrastructure improvements, the band helps build trust through the emotional impact of music," said Sergeant Bristow.