The WAF BAND Conducted by Captain MaryBelle J. Nissly, the Women in the Air Force "WAF" Band created a unique and exceptional chapter in US Air Force and women's history. The band was created in 1951 as the 543rd Air Force Band (WAF) and, over its ten year history as the US WAF Band, was made up of 235 members, with about 50 women musicians comprising the band at any given time.