Band members capture Communication Excellence awards

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Air Force Materiel Command recently released its list of winners in the field of Communication Excellence and two members of the Air Force Band of Liberty were selected as Senior Noncommissioned Officer and Noncommissioned Officer for 2007 and will now go on to compete at Air Force level.

Master Sgt. Mark Stanaford was selected as AFMC's Outstanding Communication Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 2007. Sergeant Stanaford is described as a superb NCO, leader and musician whose abilities were highlighted in 77 events in front of 217,000 people in 2007. He supported the state funeral of President Gerald R. Ford and performed as a soloist at Hanscom's 60th Anniversary concert with recording artist Maureen McGovern.

Sergeant Stanaford's contributions extend beyond the field of music as he is also the Resource Advisor for the Band of Liberty. In this capacity, he expertly managed the band's financial matters, perfectly executing the fiscal year 07 budget of $450,000.

Involved in the community, Sergeant Stanaford volunteered over 80 hours of his time to the Hanscom Youth Center. He also volunteered as a soccer coach and served as master of ceremonies for the Senior NCO Induction Ceremony.

Also capturing AFMC honors was Tech. Sgt. David Dell, who was selected as the Outstanding Communication Noncommissioned Officer of the year. Sergeant Dell was recognized for his numerous contributions and outstanding work in several positions within the Band of Liberty.

He has served as the Noncommissioned Officer In Charge of the Jazz Band, planning and delivering top performances in 12 shows with three guest artists. As the Concert Band NCOIC, he produced the unit's Air Force 60th Anniversary CD, coordinated rehearsals and concerts as directed by the band commander. He also served as the NCOIC for Media and Public Relations, managing a six-person shop responsible for maintaining and updating the unit's media folder and website.

As the Director of Band operations, he not only completed self-directed training, he developed and implemented a master calendar for the unit. An accomplished musician, he was deployed as a trumpeter in support of the state funeral which paid a final tribute to the late President Gerald R. Ford.

"Both MSgt. Stanaford and TSgt. Dell are prime examples of the high caliber of personnel we have here in the Band of Liberty," said First Lt. David Alpar, Band of Liberty commander. "It is through their daily contributions to the unit, both as musicians and as managers, that the Band of Liberty continues to be Air Force ambassadors and provide the best musical services to our customers."