'Winds Aloft' bring holiday cheer to Incirlik

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony Hyatt
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  When you combine the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn you make the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Winds Aloft Woodwind Quintet, a premier component of the USAFE Band.

Winds Aloft, a five-member team, visited various work centers Dec. 16 and 17 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, to help spread holiday cheer.

The band consists of Master Sgt. Steven Schaughency, horn player, Staff Sgt. Jerome Minor, bassoon player, Staff Sgt. Avril Claytor, flute player, Staff Sgt. Lindsay Zufall, clarinet player and Senior Airman Justin Hummer, oboe player.

"We came to Incirlik to play holiday music for people away from home and to boost troop morale," said Sergeant Schaughency.

Equipped with only their instruments and a book of more than 80 Christmas songs, the band had 11 performances to include a one-hour family concert at the consolidated club complex.

"The Air Force Quintet that visited was absolutely fantastic; what a dedicated group of Airmen who are extremely gifted musicians," said Lt. Col. Kurt Driskill, the 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander. "The fact that they took time from their dinner schedule to play for 80 deployed persons was a testament to their dedication and care for their fellow Airmen."

Winds Aloft concluded their visit at Incirlik with an hour-long performance for family members at the Consolidated Club.

"I thought their performance was inspirational and uplifting," said Maj. Thomas Byron, the 39th Air Base Wing judge advocate. "Having them [the USAFE Band] come here to spread a little, live 'Christmas cheer' was a tremendous way to bring the holiday season to so many who are so far away from home."