USAF Heartland of America Band Vortex rocks MSU

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephanie Morris
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band Vortex put on a Vietnam themed concert for Minot locals in Nelson Hall at Minot State University, Minot N.D., June 16, 2015.

The show was dedicated to local Vietnam veterans and featured songs from 1965 through 1975. The set list included such hits as "Danny Boy", "The Green Beret" and a tuba solo of "Blue Bells of Scotland" by Detroit, Michigan native, Master Sgt. Alex Serwatowski.

The performance concluded with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America" sung by Tech. Sgt. Becky Packard, AFHAB Vortex vocalist, which brought the entire concert hall to its feet, followed by a jazz centric encore with a solo for each band member.

During his opening comments, Col. Michael Lutton, 91st Missile Wing commander, expressed gratitude for the performance at MSU and throughout other missile complex communities.

"These are awesome musicians," Lutton said. "We're very thankful that they have taken the time out of their schedule to visit with us in the surrounding communities of Minot."

The band Vortex is a group comprised of highly skilled Airmen musicians, said Master Sgt. Jerry Birkenmeier, AFHAB Vortex guitarist and NCO in charge. The musicians of Vortex consist of horn players, a rhythm section and a brass quintet, which makes up the entire organization of AFHAB.

Hailing from United States Strategic Command, 55th Wing, 557th Weather Wing and other tenant units at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, Vortex is dedicated to providing innovative, professional musical support for events that enhance military morale and esprit de corps.

Vortex also fosters public support with free performances, aids recruiting initiatives and is world-wide deployable.

"We play eclectic songs that span the entire gambit of great music," Birkenmeier said. "Our mission consists of four pillars; communicate, honor, inspire, recruit and we use the art of music to carry out that mission."

In addition to their performance at MSU, Vortex also offered free concerts in several local communities across North Dakota.

The tour in North Dakota was designed to thank community members throughout the surrounding areas for their support of the mission at Minot AFB, Birkenmeier said.