Band member captures Air Force honor

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  It's not an Oscar and it's not an Emmy, but in the world of Air Force Public Affairs, being selected as one of the best for communications excellence within the Air Force is right up there and something to be proud of.

Such is the case for Tech. Sgt. Dave Dell of the Air Force Band of Liberty who was recently selected as the Air Force Outstanding Communication Noncommissioned Officer of the year. Sergeant Dell is the Director of Operations for the band and was submitted for this honor by his commander for having, "demonstrated outstanding ability to deliver content to the proper audiences while meeting audience communication needs, including the use of exceptional, technical, leadership and managerial skills for the execution and improvement of public affairs programs."

"As the Band of Liberty's director of operations, Tech. Sgt. Dell has been instrumental in getting the band out in the public eye to strategically communicate ESC's and the Air Force's message," said Col. Russ Blaine, chief of staff for the Electronic Systems Center. 

"I'm very proud of him and all the members of the Band of Liberty for their commitment to excellence."

Sergeant Dell's list of accomplishments included the planning of 12 shows with three guest artists; produced the band's Air Force 60th Anniversary CD which was raved as being the, "smoothest project out of 27," by the former band commander; and, as the concert band noncommissioned officer in charge, Sergeant Dell coordinated rehearsals and concerts at the commander's direction.

As an accomplished band craftsman, Sergeant Dell plays the trumpet and has participated in 88 concerts for more than175,000 people in 46 days throughout the Area of Responsibility as the band provided entertainment to forces overseas. He performed on the bugle and trumpet at military funerals and participated in the state funeral of President Gerald R. Ford.

Among his other accomplishments this past year, Sergeant Dell completed the Noncommissioned Officers Academy graduating in the top 10 percent of his class with Distinguished Graduate honors. He completed his MBA Financial Management course and immediately used his skills to build the operations budget for the band.

Additionally, Sergeant Dell is preparing to deploy this summer for 90 days as the operations representative for the band's rock group "Afterburner."

"We're all tremendously proud of Tech. Sgt. Dell," said 1st Lt. Dave Alpar, commander of the Air Force Band of Liberty. "As our director of operations, Dave's superb leadership has ensured that we keep true to the Air Force message.

Air Force bands are an integral part of the strategic communications triad and Dave's role in our success has justly earned him this recognition," he said.