‘Blue Hawk’ entertains servicemembers, Kyrgyz community

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Staff Sgt. Curtis Simmons performs with the band “Blue Hawk” for an audience of Kyrgyz and American citizens in front of the State Museum of History here July 2. The Blue Hawk performers learned the Kyrgyz national anthem before they arrived in country. Simmons is a drummer with the band from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Hank Hoegan)

‘Blue Hawk’ entertains servicemembers, Kyrgyz community

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Tech. Sgt. Marc Perez plays the bass guitar during the American Embassy’s official Fourth of July celebration here July 1. The Air Forces Central Command Band “Blue Hawk” spent the weekend leading up to Independence Day, and the holiday, performing for Americans and Kyrgyz citizens at the U.S. Embassy, the Transit Center, in the nation’s capital Bishkek and a cancer center. Perez is a guitarist and tubist with the band deployed from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith)

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric Patterson, a trumpet player with the Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band "Blue Hawk" from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, plays his trumpet while a young child pushes the pistons down during a visit to a children's cancer center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, July 4, 2011. The AFCENT Band builds troop morale and public diplomacy while touring the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith)

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Lane McCray Jr., a vocalist with the Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band "Blue Hawk" from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, sings with young children during a visit to a children's cancer center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, July 4, 2011. The AFCENT Band builds troop morale and public diplomacy while touring the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith)

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn Clokey, a trombonist with the Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band Blue Hawk from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Carswell Field., Texas, plays during 4th of July festivities at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic July 2, 2011. The AFCENT Band builds troop morale and public diplomacy while touring the Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Smith/Released)

Blue Hawk Sings to Iraqi Children

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Lane McCray Jr., a vocalist with the Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band Blue Hawk from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Carswell Field,Texas sings to members of the Iraqi Boy Scouts and Girls Guides Council at an Iraqi military installation. June 25, 2011. The AFCENT Band builds troop morale and public diplomacy while touring the Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith)