It goes without saying that you can send a band where you cannot send a ship. Unlike warships, bands are not limited by the navigational constraints of waterways or the political constraints of traditional military engagements. Often, a band can find itself welcomed when another military unit might not. Our visits serve as a stepping stone towards increased dialogue and partnerships, perhaps, ultimately alliances. These strong, world-changing partnerships, begin with a single note. Music is a conversation: one that starts quite simply from a common shared language, then opens the door for further communication and repeated dialogue by others. This can forge the foundations of lasting and positive relationships, and defines the heart of the deployment of a Navy band.
With a mandate to operate where no ship can, to build alliances, bridge cultures, and convey the message of the U.S. Navy where it must be heard, Navy bands carry the tune. We support the full spectrum of naval operations in a unique manner, inimitable within the armed forces. Operating across 105 countries, on two continents, Naval Forces Europe Band’s operational support requires a high degree of planning, coordination, and most important, a sound strategy.
How is the intent realized? In the most basic sense, the presence of a Navy musician, in uniform and holding a musical instrument, is deliberately disarming and starts an unspoken dialogue before a note of music is played. Curiosity is piqued, and receptivity is more open than it would be otherwise. This is followed up with a musical performance of the highest caliber, one that will often include music that evokes the pride of the host nation. Our professional musicians learn regionally important and culturally popular songs for each performance. In an afternoon, our instruments speak a new language more fluently than any translator. As soon as we begin playing one of their songs, you can see the audience shift from polite attention to engagement and interaction. Host-nation participants sing along, and even dance. As we sing and dance with them, doors are immediately opened and human connections are made. Through a performance by a Navy band, audiences see the human behind the uniform, get a sense of American values, and the change in perspective is often transposed to the entirety of the service. This is the start, the building block. And from this beginning, the strategy by which a musical performance leads to dialogue, understanding, communication, and partnership begins.
The year 2019 was notable in the history of Naval Forces Europe Band. In many ways, due to the nature of an overseas assignment, it’s easy to see the impact the band has on foreign relations and in support of the diplomatic and alliance-building priorities of the commander of Naval Forces Europe/Africa. In the European theater, the band supported commemorative events that highlight the enduring partnerships among NATO nations such as ceremonies in honor of Operation Dragoon and the southern landings in France in 1944. Band support to maritime exercises bolster more recent partnerships, such as Exercise Sea Breeze, a co-hosted multinational maritime exercise led by Ukraine and the United States.
In the African theater, band support to Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa and involving 20 African partner nations, brings an “at-sea” exercise on to land, spreading awareness and increasing the visibility of maritime safety and security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea. This is further bolstered by Africa Partnership Station, where along with U.S. Navy engineering, medical and construction units, the band deployed on board USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7) for multiple mission stops, furthering partnership building and regional security efforts in Africa.
The not only serves to bolster mil-mil relationships throughout Europe and Africa, but also provides an opportunity for us to give back to our host nation. The band performs numerous concerts across Italy throughout the year, providing an outstanding opportunity to connect with our Neapolitan neighbors. There is a special bond between Italians and Americans, with deep historic roots exemplified by Naval Forces Europe Band’s five Italian service members on staff. Representing the Italian Army, Navy, Air Force and Caribinieri, our very own “Allied Partners” are invaluable to the day-to day operations of the band, and are a visible, highly respected, and vital component of the organization. Performing in concerts across the country provides a great forum to connect with our Italian hosts, sharing our culture and honoring theirs, through the performance of Italian music. The Italian musical catalog provides a deep well to draw from. The greatest challenge becomes choosing what to perform.
This month, Naval Forces Europe Band was honored with the Premio Internazinale Nassiriya per la Pace. This distinguished award is given to a small and select handful of recipients every year, to recognize the merit of individuals or groups that have distinguished themselves in promoting peace. Recent awardees range from the Italian Coast Guard, Italy’s Minister of the Environment, and individuals from across Italy with no specific tie to the government, but who have made notable contributions to the promotion of peace. The award was developed in honor of those killed in a suicide bombing in Iraq in 2003. The attack killed 18 Italian service members, mostly from the Caribinieri, one Italian civilian, and nine Iraqi civilians. It is a distinct honor for the band to receive this award, and I fully believe it is a recognition earned by the many men and women, representing all four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and seven NATO partner nations, that have served in the organization and its parent organizations since 1950. Our receipt of this award demonstrates the strength of our relationship with Italy.
The band can bridge two cultures like nothing else in the world. This capability creates a unique organization that it’s an honor to be part of. At the heart of our band, you’ll find an incredible group of professionals, representing their service and their nation at the highest levels. Used properly, bands and musician go well beyond something that is “nice to have.” They a vital resource, capable of bridging cultural divides, creating new bonds and forging alliances in the process. A capability no other Navy unit can provide.
