The U.S. Women of the Air Force (WAF) Band will perform at Coastal Carolina University's Wheelwright Auditorium on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. The program, a mix of military marches and show tunes, is free with a ticket and open to the public.

The original U.S. WAF Band, active from 1951 to 1961, created a distinctive and exceptional chapter for the U.S. Air Force and women's history. Over its 10-year history, the U.S. WAF Band had 235 members, with as many as 50 women musicians comprising the band at any given time. It served as one of the few opportunities for women to perform as professional musicians. The band marched in both of President Dwight Eisenhower's inaugural parades, and performed for VA hospitals and in countless parades and concerts.

Members of the band began organizing reunions in 1997. During the last 10 years, the group has performed reunion concerts across the country. Four of the band's current members are residents of the Carolina coast. The WAF Band is the first all-woman military band still performing. In addition to performing at Coastal Carolina University this year, the band will travel to the American Legion Post #186 in Little River to perform on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium is located on 107 Founders Drive on the CCU campus. For tickets or additional information, contact the Wheelwright Box Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 843-349-2787 (ARTS) or ticketreturn.com.