On December 8, 2023, The Lakeland Concert Band supported the change of command ceremony for the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center is the home base for the world-famous Hurricane Hunters, who protect the nation by conducting flight operations to gather data necessary for predicting hurricane strength and direction as well as conducting other critical weather research.

The ceremony marked the departure of Captain Chistopher Kerns and the assumption of command by Captain Nathan Kahn. Rear Admiral Chad Cary, Deputy Director of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and the NOAA Commissioned Corps presided over the change of command ceremony.

Selections played by the band during the ceremony included Ruffles and Flourishes, The Admirals March, Eternal Father, Into the Oceans and the Air (The official march of the NOAA commissioned officer corps), Stars and Stripes Forever, America the Beautiful, Americans We, White Christmas, and Sleigh Ride.

The Lakeland Concert Band was honored to be invited once more to support this event.

“Kermit”, one of NOAA’s Lockheed WP-3D Orion “Hurricane Hunters”