USAFE Ambassadors Rock Band visits Saxony-Anhalt

Concert attendees dance as the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s Ambassadors Rock Band performs at Wein and Sektgut Hubertus Triebe during their Saxony-Anhalt Outreach tour in Zeitz, June 22. The USAFE band’s good will tour reminds the people of Germany and the United States about the depth of our relations and how we can achieve more together. The band’s performances display the harmony when two nations work together. Photos by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Winn

The Ambassadors Rock Band, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe regional rock band, completed their Saxony-Anhalt outreach tour performing at various locations throughout Eastern Germany June 20-25. The tour served to enhance the international partnerships the U.S. has with our German Allies and solidifies our unique international bonds, enhancing our relationships within Germany and the Eastern region as a whole.

The band partnered with Kenichiro Toko, U.S. General Consulate in Leipzig, and Lions Club Sandersdorf-Brehna to celebrate the U.S. – German friendship and underscore the strong transatlantic alliance.

“Many people in this region have had little to no contact with the United States…and probably many people may have not met an American before,” said Toko. “I think it is important to bring a little piece of America to this region to introduce American culture and American music.”

The band performed at five key locations, gathering large crowds awaiting an immersion into American culture through song.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Rulli, a saxophone player for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Regional Band, performs a saxophone solo during a USAFE Ambassadors Rock Band concert at Wein and Sektgut Hubertus Triebe for their Saxony-Anhalt Outreach tour in Zeitz, June 22.

Dominik Halnais, the USAFE Band plans, strategy and special event coordinator, said: “Our first engagement in Saxony-Anhalt dates back to September 2020.” Halnais explained: “At the time the Mayor from Sandersdorf-Brehna mentioned we had been the first U.S. uniformed members to visit the region after WWII.”

Through music, military bands promote peace, build relationships, and strengthen unity among people by transcending language and cultural barriers.

“Ever since, we served as a bridge to increase our cultural ties, enrich the partnerships and show a different facet the U.S. Military to the local communities.”

Participation in these events reinforces NATO relationships, advances partnership priorities, and bolsters the U.S.’s international presence through music in Germany, especially in the Eastern region.

“A highlight of the tour was the performance at the Unteroffiziersschule in Delitzsch building partnerships at the enlisted level between our two nations,” Halnais stated. “Music is a form of communication that helps bridge cultures and build long-lasting friendships. Through music we are building bonds across language barriers to strengthen our diplomatic future and collective security.