USAFE band fosters community partnership

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joseph Alonso
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, Check Six, visited Roveredo in Piano music school at the Parish Parlor July 6, to perform for aspiring musicians in the local community.

Roveredo in Piano was one of four stops by the Check Six band, in an effort to help strengthen the Italian and American partnership. The band also played at Piazza Risorgimento in Pordenone, Piazza Falcone e Borsellino in Aviano, and Piazza de Popolo in Sacile.

"We're here to thank the communities for their support of the base and let them see a side of the Air Force they may not be familiar with," said Staff Sgt. David Fatek, Check Six music director.

Air Force bands use music as a way of communicating with a public that otherwise may not engage with the U.S. Air Force.

"They may hear the jets or see people walking around in uniform, but it's not too often they get to ask an enlisted person what they do in the Air Force," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Benton, Flight Chief of Public Affairs for USAFE band. "We can reach out to the kids in a way the Air Force normally doesn't do."

The Check Six band considered playing at the school an opportunity because of the close contact they had with the local residents.

"We do quite a bit of public concerts or perform for schools in the (Department of Defense), but to get to perform in a school of one the local communities is special because we get to perform for the teachers and parents as well as the students," said Benton. "It brings a different sense of community."

The community embraced the band and showed their support with a turnout of more than 1,000 people during the local tour.

"It's a really nice thing they do coming out to play for the children, show them what they do and inspire them," said Annalisa Babgin, parent of two children in attendance at the concert.