Unfortunately, due to government budget cuts we were not able to get the full Air National Guard Band of the Northeast to march in our Fourth of July parade this year. We are very pleased that they are sending their High Altitude Rock Band to present a concert on the Village Green. They will play from 11 AM to noon on the Fourth of July.

The band is now stationed in Pennsylvania, and we were very lucky that they were able to work us into their busy schedule. Plan to come and give them a warm welcome.

The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast was originally formed in 1942 in Rapid City, South Dakota as the 53rd Army Air Forces Band. Federal recognition was extended to the band in 1949. The band has experienced numerous name changes and reassignments over the years, more recently as the 553rd Air Force Band, Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

In 2000, the band became known as the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic, reflecting its expanded geographic area of responsibility. Recently, the geographic responsibility of the unit was again increased and the unit’s name was changed to the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast. The band is based at Fort Indiantown Gap as part of the Regional Support Group to the 193rd Special Operations Wing stationed in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Ten members of the band deployed to several undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East in 2010. This deployment was the first of its type for the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast. The band members performed well over 20 concerts in 40 days for allied and coalition forces, American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, and Middle Eastern nationals during both military and civilian performances. The deployment raised the spirits of thousands of audience members from across the globe and inspired patriotism and the American spirit in our friends from dozens of countries.

A traditional Air National Guard squadron, the band consists of 40 members, all traditional National Guard members with civilian careers who meet one weekend a month to rehearse and perform. Its ranks are filled with professional musicians, educators, students, administrators, salesmen, builders, and other professionals. The band has received many awards, including the Air Force Outstanding Unit award and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Unit Citation. Its annual concert tours have taken it to Germany, Holland, France, the Azores, Antigua-West Indies, Norway, England, Denmark, and throughout the United States.