'Vector' performs for troops in Kirkuk

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | The honor guard presents the colors before the U.S. Air Forces Central Command band, "Vector" out of Langley Air Force Base, Va., performs for Soldiers and Airmen on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, June 20.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

06.23.2010

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

KIRKUK, Iraq -- To bring a little bit of home to service members in Iraq, the U.S. Air Forces Central Command band, “Vector” out of Langley Air Force Base, Va., preformed for Soldiers and Airmen on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, June 20.

The band consists of Senior Master Sgt. Ballard Eldon Sully, guitar player and non-commissioned officer in charge, Master Sgt. Verlie Vigil, the bands featured vocalist, Master Sgt. Paul Perez, percussion, Master Sgt. Bob Newlin, on the French horn, Tech Sgt. John Garcia, trombone, Staff Sgt. Chris Moore, sousaphone, Staff Sgt. Mark Nixon, on the trumpet, Staff Sgt. Jon Rattay, trumpet and Airmen 1st Class Markese Spain, audio engineer.

“It is an honor to be able to be here performing for troops,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Vigil. “I feel like we are bringing a little bit of home to them.”

The band prides itself on being able to bring entertainment to anyone they perform for.
The band has the ability to cater to the musical needs of all Soldiers by playing traditional marches, Broadway, rhythm and blues, oldies, disco, pop, rock and top-40 hits.

“I didn’t know what to expect from an Air Force band but they impressed me,” said Pfc. Ryan Stabile, a mechanic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-1 Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

It is not only the service members who see the show that look at the performance as an awesome experience, but the band members feel the same way.

Master Sergeant Vigil explained performing for troops changed her mind about staying in the military.

“At first I did not want to stay in,” she explained. “But after I saw I had the opportunity to make others happy I changed my mind.”

She went on to explain the song ‘I’ll be there’ is her favorite song to sing because she wants all of the troops to know someone is there for them.

Even though the band is scheduled to redeploy soon they promise this will not be an experience they soon forget.

“Being in the Air Force we don’t have to opportunity to see what the Soldiers do
on a daily basis,” said Master Sgt. Vigil. “Now that we have it is an honor to provide a relaxing moment from it all.”

• Date Taken: 06.23.2010
• Date Posted: 06.23.2010 12:04
• Story ID: 51835
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ