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| News > Chief William Hones retires after 26 years of service |
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Col. Larry Lang presents Chief Master Sgt. Hones a squadron gift of
baseballs "autographed" by Band members at Chief Hone's retirement ceremony
(AF photo by Master Sgt. Tara Islas)
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Chief William Hones retires after 26 years of service
Posted 6/29/2012 Updated 6/29/2012
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by Master Sgt. Bryce Bunner
The U.S. Air Force Band
6/29/2012 - Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C. -- The United States Air Force Band paid tribute 26 years of service at a retirement ceremony honoring Chief Master Sgt. William B. Hones and his wife Amy with a "baseball-themed" ceremony in Gabriel Hall last month. Presentations were made by officiant retired Air Force Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, as well as retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jim Queen and retired Air Force Master Sgt. Alex Dean.
Hones' service in The U.S. Air Force Band began in 1986 when he was hired as a bassist in the Air Force Strings. He then joined the Concert Band in 1994, and then moved back to the Air Force Strings in 1999, where he served over the years as principal bassist, director of operations, string orchestra producer, and finally as noncommissioned officer in charge from 2007 to 2011. Hones was then asked to serve as the Band's facility manager of Historic Hangar 2 in his final year of service, where he oversaw unprecedented renovation of the facility and expansion of the command section area.
During Hones' tenure in the Air Force, he performed in all 50 states and overseas, from Avery Fisher Hall to the Grand Ole Opry stage, and from a Misawa Air Force Base hangar to the Singapore Botanical Gardens. "It's been a wild, wonderful ride, the highlight of which was the honor of being entrusted with the Strings' leadership," Hones said.
Hones' official date of retirement is Sept. 1, 2012. Hones and family will remain in the Washington, D.C. area, where he says he plans to "... continue his career as a freelance bassist, play golf poorly, and go to ballgames."
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