US Air Force Pipe Band

**Morris at Heathfield** · 17th March 11, 11:30 PM

That's a seriously cool job...both of them.

I recently made the decision to join the Air Force...and then found out I was slightly too old, even to go into officer training. Ah, well.

By the way, this is the U.S. Air Force Reserve Pipe Band. Isn't (or wasn't) there also a U.S. Air Force pipe band that wears (or wore) the Mitchell tartan?

**macwilkin** · 18th March 11, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Morris at Heathfield

That's a seriously cool job...both of them.

I recently made the decision to join the Air Force...and then found out I was slightly too old, even to go into officer training. Ah, well.

By the way, this is the U.S. Air Force Reserve Pipe Band. Isn't (or wasn't) there also a U.S. Air Force pipe band that wears (or wore) the Mitchell tartan?

http://www.scottishtartans.org/USAF.htm

T.

**RussellSm** · 18th March 11, 05:32 AM

Congratulations on your daughter. The USAF Pipe Band has a long and distinguished history. I am proud to say that a good friend of more than thirty years was the first pipe major of the band, Sandy Jones.

**FreddyBeachPete** · 18th March 11, 07:50 AM

As a newbie to both kilt wearing and piping (6 months on the chanter so far) I can only say - FANTASTIC

**RussellSm** · 18th March 11, 11:38 AM

The USAFR Pipe Band is the direct descendant of the old regular USAF Pipe Band. The original USAF band wore the Mitchell tartan in honor of Gen. Billy Mithcell. Reserves or not, these outstanding young Americans are full time Reservist. I have had the pleasure of playing alongside the USAFR and they are great musicians.

**Barb T** · 18th March 11, 12:09 PM

It's my impression from what Carolyn has said that most of the current band members are active duty "augmentees" - i.e., their primary AF jobs are not as members of an AF band and that they pull temporary duty for gigs. I think that most of them also are active duty rather than reservists, but I'll ask Carolyn and find out.

**Mike_Oettle** · 18th March 11, 12:26 PM

You’re a proud mom all right, Barb, and with good reason!
Carolyn has done you proud.
Regards,
Mike

**macwilkin** · 18th March 11, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by RussellSm

The USAFR Pipe Band is the direct descendant of the old regular USAF Pipe Band. The original USAF band wore the Mitchell tartan in honor of Gen. Billy Mithcell. Reserves or not, these outstanding young Americans are full time Reservist. I have had the pleasure of playing alongside the USAFR and they are great musicians.

See my article in an earlier post, which explains that the USAF Pipe Band was responsible for the "creation" of the Mitchell tartan.

T.