Yokota members perform in Hiroshima

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean Martin
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HIROSHIMA, Japan --  The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia was recently given the rare opportunity to perform in one of the most historic cities in mainland Japan. 

Four days into a 10-day tour of southern Japan, the Yokota-based band played before a crowd of more than 500 people at the Aster Plaza in Hiroshima Oct. 13. The venue is mere blocks away from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing of the city at the end of World War II. 

"The city was very touched by the concert," said Hideki Oda, Secretary General of the Japan-America Society of Hiroshima. "It's not every day that we get to enjoy great music and even better company." 

The bond of music brought together two groups who haven't always seen eye-to-eye.
"We once were at war with each other, but now both countries have joined together," said Mr. Oda. 

Because the band had only played in Hiroshima once before, in 2004, the members weren't quite sure how U.S. military members would be received. But, a warm welcome from concert goers quickly put the performers' minds at ease, according to Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Packard, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist. 

"We didn't know what to expect when we first arrived," said Sergeant Packard. "But they made us feel very welcome." 

The band consists of full-time professional musicians who strive to inspire both military and civilian audiences in the Western Pacific region of the world, according to the band's Web site. 

The group gives 400 performances a year for more than 150,000 people. In its travels, the band has performed in Hong Kong, Burma, Guam, Singapore, India, Mongolia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines and Laos, and regularly tours Korea and Japan.