Courtesy Photo | Villagers listen to a performance by the U.S. Central Command Air Forces Band Live...... read more read more
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By Marine Sgt. Alec Kleinsmith
3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – The U.S. Central Command Air Forces Band Live Round spent five days performing for Djiboutian locals and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel during their visit to Djibouti, Jan. 22-27.
Based out of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, the nine-piece bands' sets included an eclectic mix of music, from the synthetic guitar riffs of The Police to the funky beats of Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.
Their schedule was a busy one, consisting of nine performances over five days, ranging from acoustic sets in villages without power to performing live for a local radio station.
Members of the band were enthusiastic about their opportunity to reach the local community with their music.
"This experience has been completely different from our day-to-day jobs," said Senior Airman David A. Fatek, a Philadelphia, Penn., native and saxophonist for Live Round. "In a lot of ways it's been much more rewarding to play for 35 people in a parking lot next to a refugee camp than to play in a big concert hall, because I think the Djiboutian's are more appreciative of what we're doing."
Even though most audience members couldn't understand the words, the band's music transcended cultural and language barriers in providing a good time for all involved.
"Even though many of our French-speaking policemen couldn't understand the words, the music spoke to us," said Lt. Abdillahi Ibrahim Nour, director of the National Police Academy in Djibouti. "I feel like we understand the Americans better now."
The CJTF-HOA mission is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2008 06:05 |
| Story ID: | 15991 |
| Location: | CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 158 |
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