Langley Winds spread holiday cheer Published Dec. 14, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Locke 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Pope members may have seen a group of Airmen Thursday wearing their Battle Dress Uniform walking around base with red Santa hats on. This group was the Langley Winds from the Heritage of America band and here to spread some holiday cheer. The band toured around the base and sang songs such as "Jingles Bells", "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer", "Silent Night" and despite the non December-like weather, "Let it Snow". When caroling through the wing headquarters building, the base commander and his staff were very appreciative of the band's time. "The day started out pretty stressful, but you have uplifted my spirits," said Col. Timothy Zadalis, 43rd Airlift Wing Commander to the band after their performance. During the caroling tour, the tour guides were informed about an Airman Leadership School graduation that was currently taking place. The band ended up crashing the graduation and the surprise was appreciated by the staff, graduates and family members. "It's very rewarding to see the crowd's reaction when performing," said Senior Airman Grace Hontoon, Langley Wings oboe player. While spreading holiday cheer around the base, the groups visited treated the band to homemade cider, cookies and bagels. "It's nice to know you've brightened someone's day," said Senior Airman Jeffrey Boehmer, Langley Wings clarinet player. The group visited various buildings to include the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, 43rd Medical Group, 43rd Operations Group, 43rd Mission Support Group, 43rd Maintenance Group and the 18th Air Support Operations Group. The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band has a rich history of inspiring hearts and minds, building and sustaining American patriotism and enhancing esprit de corps in the United States Air Force. The band's 45 personnel are assigned to two primary ensembles: the USAF Heritage of America Band (which doubles in concert and ceremonial roles) and the Blue Aces (a popular music ensemble). The concert band breaks down into seven touring ensembles: the Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble (which also fields the Heritage of America Dixie Players), the Heritage Brass Quintet, the Langley Winds woodwind quintet, the American Clarinet Quartet, Heritage Aire Celtic Ensemble, Sonic Boom percussion ensemble, and the Cirrus Trombone Quartet. Each year, the band's ensembles travel more than 30,000 miles to perform 340 concerts for a half million listeners across a seven-state region from Pennsylvania to South Carolina.