Maintainers trade tools for music

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Perras
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The sound of music typically starts with the rhythm section - percussion mixed with bass. Add in a lead guitar and some vocals, and a band is formed.

For this year's Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet April 20, guests can expect a band instead of a guest speaker. Members from the 354th Maintenance Squadron and the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit are putting down their gear and picking up instruments to provide music for those in attendance.

The five-piece band has taken on the title of Red Ball, fittingly named after an aircraft maintenance issue requiring action after engine start-up and prior to launch.

While the band has only been playing for a month, the musical connection was almost instant. With the amount of talent in the band, they meshed quickly, said Master Sgt. Mauro Ordinario, 354th MXS NCO in charge of plans, scheduling and documentation, and Red Ball lead guitarist.

"The cool thing about our group is that ... we don't let our individual styles or creativity hamper us," said Capt. Tim Aanerud, 18th AMU officer in charge, and rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the group.

A major reason behind why the members have bonded so well is the simple ideology of cooperation.

"If I see you pushing forward, I'm going to help you push forward," said Ordinario about the other members. "The teamwork is there."

Regardless of the short amount of time Red Ball has practiced, Ordinario said the band already has a variety of songs to play, ranging from pop rock to folk and country music. With Master Sgt. Darrin Sommer, 354th MXS maintenance flight chief, on bass, Senior Airman Charles Jackson, 18th AMU support technician, on drums and Senior Airman Scott Mathews, 354th MXS munitions inspector, on banjo and keyboard, the band has made a set of roughly 15 songs.

"We want the crowd to like what they're listening to," said Aanerud. "It's not about what [we] think - we just want everybody to have a good time. We love doing this and we're going to play music regardless, so if we can give [guests] a good night and deliver, then it's pretty cool."

Aanerud said the band expects to perform for at least 200 people at the banquet. Despite this number, Red Ball is not worried about performing in front of the crowd.

"A lot of people ask me if I'm nervous, and I just think, 'Nervous of what?'" said Ordinario. "This is what we do - this is what I like doing, and all I'm doing is sharing it."