Air Force leading Rose Parade
by Tech. Sgt. Mark Diamond
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
12/30/02 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- The U.S. Air Force will lead the 114th Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif., with a formation of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft.
The service's Total Force Band will round the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards at the same time the B-2 and F-117 aircraft fly overhead.
Pilots from the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., will fly the F-117s. The B-2 Spirit will arrive from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
This year's Total Force Band is comprised of 120 members from 15 Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard bands. It is being organized by the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West here.
According to Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Kistler, Band of the Golden West manager, it takes a lot of practice to prepare for the Rose Bowl parade.
He said the Total Force band members arrived in Southern California Dec. 29 leaving only two days to practice. Members will rehearse twice a day on Dec. 30 and 31.
"We must get used to the size and sound of the Total Force Band and to marching beside, in front of and behind different people," Kistler said.
Tech. Sgt. Ken Buchanan, a member of the Band of the Golden West, said he is excited about participating in the Total Force Band for a second time. He was a member of the band during the 2000 Tournament of Roses Parade, and he knows what to expect this year.
Buchanan said the two full days of practice are intense, but well worth the time and effort.
"You've got more than 120 band members who have never worked together trying to make it look like we've been working together for years," he said. "When we turn that first corner and the TV cameras are on us, we want to present the total Air Force image."
Buchanan, who has been an Air Force band member for 13 years, said the band may only get 10 seconds of airtime on national TV, but that is 10 seconds in which the band can send its message.
"When we perform, we're representing everyone who wears a uniform," said Buchanan. "How incredible is that? This is an opportunity for us to remind everyone what the armed forces are all about, the Air Force in particular."
He said he thinks the Air Force band members will make a special connection with the American people, and their message will be heard loud and clear.
"It's amazing how proud the audience is when they see us," Buchanan said. "There's a bond between the military and the public. It's incredible to see, and it's even more incredible to be a part of it."
Buchanan, who plays the euphonium, said the six-mile parade route goes by quickly because of the excitement and the people.
"When you're rehearsing, it's difficult and stressful, but you forget all about that when you're actually marching," he said.
This year's Total Force Band includes 10 piccolos, 10 clarinets, 10 alto saxophones, 10 tenor saxophones, 12 French horns, 18 trumpets, 10 trombones, 10 euphoniums, 10 sousaphones, and 20 percussionists. Additionally, 13 people in the formation will perform color guard, banner carrier and command functions.
For this year's parade, the commander of the Total Force Band, Capt. Douglas Monroe, has selected "The Air Force Song," "Washington Post" and "National Emblem."