National Guard band readies for its tour of duty in Iraq

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Members of the 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” band played music while awaiting the raising of the flag last month at the National Guard Armory in Rosemount. The 45-member band, which includes a country group, two pop/rock bands and others, is being deployed Tuesday on what will be a one-year tour of duty in southern Iraq.

Boosting morale with its music is the mission of the National Guard's "Red Bull" band, which is preparing for a yearlong deployment.

By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune

Last update: February 8, 2009 - 11:28 PM

You'd think things must be going pretty well over there when the National Guard band gets dispatched to Iraq.

But this is a band of soldiers first and musicians second. snip

As tensions ease in Iraq, the band will in part serve a diplomatic purpose. But military bands have been deployed to every war zone in American history. Up to five Army bands have been stationed in Iraq at any given time since the invasion.

Their instruments must fit into the cargo bay of a Blackhawk helicopter. Trumpet players all carry pistols.