Tickets are on sale for the 19th NATO Music Festival, scheduled for May 28 in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Military bands from seven nations will perform and more may join them.

The biennial festival, started in 1965, raises money for social and charitable purposes. The current focus is on the NATO Music Festival Foundation, which was established after the 2001 festival.

The venue for the upcoming festival will be the Fritz Walter Stadium on the Betzenberg. The event is co-sponsored by the city and NATO’s Allied Air Component Command, headquartered at nearby Ramstein Air Base.

Bands from Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States are committed so far.

Prices for tickets booked in advance range from 11-20 euros, and cost a bit more if bought on the night of the fest. Tickets may be purchased at the tourist office in the Kaiserslautern city hall or online.

U.S. Men’s Ski Team to visit Garmisch

Ten members of the U.S. Men’s Ski Team plan to visit Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany, on Wednesday to meet and mingle with servicemembers and guests, resort officials said.

The skiers will greet guests of the Armed Forces Recreation Center resort 8-9 p.m. in the Gallery level of the main lobby, according to a resort spokesman. Guests and all Department of Defense ID cardholders are invited to attend the informal gathering.

Members of the national ski team will be in Garmisch for the upcoming World Cup races next weekend.

Wing gets ‘excellent’ rating

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The 86th Airlift Wing received an overall rating of “excellent” last week after its first U.S. Air Forces in Europe Unit Compliance Inspection in five years.

In addition, four members of the wing received the Inspector General Award of Excellence. They are Tech. Sgt. David Allum, Tech. Sgt. Jerry Hall, Sigrid Sexsmith and Tino Weichel

According to wing officials the rating means the wing: exceeds requirements in performance; has superior procedures and activities; runs efficient programs; and has few deficiencies.

The wing’s primary mission is to operate and maintain cargo planes such as C-130s and passenger planes such as C-20s for use throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

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