Navy Musician Finds Joy in Service and Travel

Photo By Sgt. Mitchell Johnson | U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim Deal, saxophonist, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band, a native of Urbana, IL, waves to the crowd during the 80th anniversary of Operation Avalanche, Paestum, Italy, September 8, 2023. Operation Avalanche was the codename for the allied landings near the port of Salerno, that took place on September 9, 1943, as part of the allied invasion of Italy. Its primary objectives were to seize the port of Naples to ensure resupply, and to cut across the east coast, trapping the Axis troops further south. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Johnson)  

LIBREVILLE, GABON

05.07.2024

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Bobby Dixon 

U.S. Africa Command

Musician First Class Tim Deal has found a way to serve his country while doing what he loves - playing music. A veteran of 14 years in the Navy and 4 years in the Marine Corps, Deal is currently stationed in Naples, Italy as a saxophonist with the United States Navy Band attached to Naval Forces Europe and Africa.

Deal, a native of Urbana, Illinois, has been playing the saxophone since he was 10 years old. He joined the Navy at age 22, drawn by the opportunity to continue his musical career while serving. Over the past 18 years, Deal has had the chance to perform all over the world, including memorable performances in Japan, Gabon, and throughout Europe.

Currently, Deal is in Libreville, Gabon supporting Obangame Express 2024, a Naval Forces Africa exercise along the western coast of Africa from Senegal to Namibia. The team will be performing alongside Gabonese military bands throughout the exercise.

As a member of the Navy band, Deal supports diplomatic, community relations, and ceremonial events. One of Deal's favorite duties is introducing American musical styles and opening cultural exchanges. In his current role, Deal and his bandmates regularly perform for visiting dignitaries and military ceremonies throughout Europe and Africa.

Just recently, Deal and the Navy band, alongside their U.S. Marine Corps and Ghana Navy counterparts, played multiple performances in support of the combined African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa in Accra, Ghana.

When asked what he would tell his younger self just starting out in the Navy, Deal said he never could have imagined the amazing places music would take him.

He encourages other musicians considering military service to take advantage of the Navy band program for its unique combination of service, travel, and the chance to share one's artistry around the globe.

For Deal, it has been an honor and a privilege to represent his country through his saxophone.

During Exercise Obangame Express 2024, the 13th rendition of the exercise, partner and allied forces collaborate to enhance collective maritime law enforcement capabilities, bolster national and regional security in West Africa, and foster greater interoperability among U.S., African, and multinational partners. The U.S. routinely exercises with like-minded nations in Africa to build enduring relationships and combined capacity to ensure and safety and security of the regional maritime environment.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

For more information, visit our website (https://www.africom.mil)), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AFRICOM/ ) and Twitter/X (@USAfricaCommand), or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 05.07.2024
• Date Posted: 05.07.2024 15:17
• Story ID: 470568
• Location: LIBREVILLE, GA
• Hometown: URBANA, ILLINOIS, US