Lieutenant Colonel A. Philip Waite
Lieutenant Colonel A. Phillip Waite, Commander and Conductor of The United States Air Force Band, June 2010-Present.
Band is a Strategic Communication Asset, Says New Commander



by Benjamin Newell
The USAF Band

6/3/2010 - BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- The new commander of The U.S. Air Force Band will be looking for new ways to use the musical expertise of the organization to connect with the public and promote Air Force missions.

Lt. Col. A. Phillip Waite took the helm of the Air Force's most dynamic musical organization from Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs during a change of command ceremony held June 1 on Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C. Colonel Waite comes to the Band from a job with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs where he oversaw community relations policy regarding military aviation assets, bands, honor guards, speakers, and the use of new and emerging media.

"I've always viewed this Band as world class," said Colonel Waite. "These are some of the greatest and most dedicated musicians in the world."

While at OASD(PA), he helped influence band policy throughout the military. His accomplishments include expanding band roles overseas and moving towards more comprehensive band coverage stateside. Working at OASD(PA) also offered Colonel Waite a better understanding of how The U.S. Air Force Band fits into the overall Department of Defense structure.

The Colonel plans to design productions with specific Air Force themes. "The Band is a wonderful strategic communication asset," he said. "I hope to be able to shape productions so that the music supports our message."

This won't be Colonel Waite's first exposure to The U.S. Air Force Band. Between 1989 and 1994, he directed The Singing Sergeants and in 1995, he served as deputy commander for nine months. During these years he conducted more than 800 concerts. "I had no idea the level of expertise here until I moved to Washington, D.C. and actually worked with the Band 20 years ago. I dropped my hand on the first downbeat and just thought 'WOW! This is a premier organization,'" he said.

Colonel Sierichs, who served as The U.S. Air Force Band Commander for 11 months, wished Colonel Waite luck, and offered some perspective. "The people in this organization make it great," said the outgoing commander. "They are dedicated experts and they will surpass your expectations every time."

Colonel Waite is taking command during a period of challenge and opportunity for the Band. Shifts in musician rotation schedules could mean that some of the Band's senior Non-Commissioned Officers will be sent to regional bands. The 11th Wing at Bolling, which previously supported the Band, will see a major mission change in October, when the Wing is moved to Andrews AFB, Md., and the 11th Operations Group takes over as the Band's support organization, while its Public Affairs mission will be supported by the Air Force District of Washington.

Mission realignment at Bolling and Andrews will mean that The USAF Band is overseen by leaner, more focused organizations. Colonel Waite sees the changes as opportunities. "I'm a risk taker, and I love to push the envelope," he said. "I'm excited to help this Band become a diplomatic asset that can be used to open dialogues with the public and international community. I think these changes will help that process along."