Members 
of the Air Force Band and Air Force Honor Guard from JB Andrews, Md., performed in the 2012 Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City before more than three million spectators and a television audience of some 55 million, said service officials. The 200-airmen formation was the largest deployment of the band and honor guard outside of the National Capitol Region, according to their Nov. 22 release. “It’s important that the military is represented at this event and I’m very thankful to do so for all airmen serving in the US and at deployed locations around the world,” said MSgt. Jake McKray, a band saxophonist. The band and honor guard marched some two and a half miles through the city streets before performing a patriotic tribute titled “This is My Country” on the NBC main stage in Herald Square, states the release. “We all had a blast and are proud to serve our country,” added A1C Kamiron Smith of the honor guard. (New York report by SrA. Steele C. G. Britton)
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.