ANG Band

The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast played for members of Hancock Field Air National Guard Base on March 18, 2015.The mission of the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast is to provide music to military and civilian communities in order to instill patriotism, maintain tradition, represent the militia heritage at its finest, and to promote pride in oneself, one's unit, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.(New York Air National Guard photo by Technical Sgt. Jeremy Call/Released)

Air National Guard Band Performs on Hancock Field

Published March 18, 2015
By Maj. Sandra Stoquert
174th Attack Wing

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- High Altitude, a component of the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast, performed in front of members of the 174th Attack Wing (ATKW) at Hancock Field Wednesday.

The popular music ensemble is part of the 553rd Air Force Band from Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

The group has a diverse background and can play anything from rock to country, jazz to top 40, and everything in-between.

Wing members were able to relax and enjoy lunch while listening to the band perform a variety of popular songs. Those members that were unable to attend the lunch time performance, were able to catch the bands second set later that afternoon.

"The individual band members were all very talented," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Call, photojournalist for the 174th ATKW. "I was surprised how well they were able to play a couple of Bruno Mars songs, which is really hard to do."

The band supports regional Air National Guard units through performances in ceremonies, activities and recruiting tours, and public relations concert tours for the Air National Guard and the Air Force.

"High Altitude started doing winter tours in 2012 and this year's tour schedule included New York State," said Tech. Sgt. Brain McNally, lead guitar player and musical director for High Altitude.

Along with visiting Hancock Field, the band is scheduled to play locally for students at Liverpool High School.