Captain David Neil C. Regner is the commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Under his leadership, 60 airman-musicians perform more than 300 events each year throughout the Southeast to honor America’s service members and veterans, inspire young people to serve, and connect the public with their Air and Space Forces.

He is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the unit to communicate Department of the Air Force strategic messages with Americans at home and to strengthen international partnerships when deployed abroad.

Capt. Regner commissioned as a graduate of Officer Training School in August 2017. Since then, he has led Air Force bands in community, diplomatic, and ceremonial missions in 10 countries, 33 states, and Washington D.C, reaching a combined broadcast and live audience of over 50 million people.

A native of West Orange, New Jersey, Captain Regner served four years as a high school band director at Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, New York prior to joining the Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Rutgers University, where he studied with Darryl Bott, and his Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where he studied with Mallory Thompson.

Education

2010 Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Rutgers University, N.J.

2013 Master of Music, Wind Conducting, Northwestern University, Ill.

2017 Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

2018 Public Affairs Qualification Course, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md.

2022 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Assignments

1. September 2017 - June 2021, Flight Commander, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

2. June 2021 - July 2022, Commander, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

3. July 2022 - July 2025, Flight Commander, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Va. (Officer in Charge, U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)

4. July 2025 - Present, Commander, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

Major Awards and Decorations

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Other Achievements

2018 Air Combat Command Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the Year

2020 Air Combat Command Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the Year

2024 11th Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year

Effective Date of Promotion

Second Lieutenant August 31, 2017

First Lieutenant August 31, 2019

Captain August 31, 2021

Current as of 18 May 2026

Second Lieutenant Benjamin Andrew “Drew” Eary serves as Flight Commander and Associate Conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Lt Eary assists the Commander in leading 60 Airmen in performances and engagements throughout a 7-state area of responsibility, including affiliated US territories.

He has led tours and performances across the Southern United States, programming messaging and performances for the Band of the West to inspire and connect with the American public. He also has represented the USAF in diplomatic and ceremonial missions both at home and in partnership with the Argentinian Air Force in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Originally from Peoria, Arizona, Lt. Eary received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. He earned a Master of Music in Conducting from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from The University of Arizona. His conducting teachers are Professor Jerry Junkin, Dr. Jamie L. Nix, Professor Jay C. Rees, and Professor Gregg Hanson.

Before pursuing graduate studies, Lt Eary was proudly the first Director of Bands at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Lt Eary has appeared as a featured guest conductor with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, the Austin Brass Collective, and as a clinician for region honor bands and ensembles in multiple states. He was also a Conducting Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the 75th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois and was named a finalist for the 2021 American Prize in Conducting.

Lt Eary is active as a transcriber and arranger, conducting the premiere of his transcription of the Wind Band version of Maria Sigfusdottir’s Grammy-nominated “Oceans” in 2023.

Education

2014 Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance, The University of Arizona, Ariz.

2021 Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting, Columbus State University, Ga.

2024 Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas

2024 Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

2026 Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course, Fort Meade, Md.

Assignments

1. July 2024 - September 2024, Student, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

2. October 2024 - Present, Flight Commander, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

Effective Date of Promotion

Second Lieutenant 27 September 2024