FWB High School Viking Jazz Ensemble performs for AFSOC OAY banquet

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  • AFSOC Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Fort Walton Beach High School's Viking Jazz Ensemble stepped up to a huge challenge May 4 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center and left victorious. 

Air Force Special Operations Command held its annual Out-standing Airmen of the Year banquet that night to recognize the best the command has to offer for professional service to their country and community. Normally, part of the night's festivities includes a performance by one of the Air Force's premier bands. 

This year, AFSOC leadership decided to search the local community to fulfill the requirement for entertainment and the call went out to the Vikings. 

"We realized the local community had a great deal of talent and it gave us a chance to highlight that talent and introduce these young men and women to the Air Force esprit de corps and traditions," said Senior Master Sgt. Frank Dailey, chairman of the OAY banquet committee. 

The Viking Jazz Ensemble came through with flying colors. Their program featured inspired performances of many different styles of jazz songs, entertaining all in attendance, according to Sergeant Dailey. 

The band had an addition at the end of the evening when they played an impromptu jam session with Lt. Gen. Mike Wooley, AFSOC commander, pounding out rhythm on the drums. 

"They loved it and had a great time," said Randy Folsom, Fort Walton Beach Jazz Ensemble director, of the group's experience performing for the banquet attendees. 

In recognition of their contribution to the success of the evening, each of the jazz ensemble members received dinner, and Air Force caps, T-shirts and gym bags as a way to thank them for their hard work.