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The Kenya Air Force Band is the sole musical unit in the Kenya Navy and one of three state-sponsored military bands in the Kenya Defence Forces.
The band was founded in the mid-1960s, shortly after the Republic of Kenya was established out of the former Kenya Colony of the British Empire. The band participates in major national events such as the Jamhuri Day Trooping of the Colour parade and Heroes' Day. [1] It also performs during state visit arrival ceremonies at State House for foreign leaders. In these visits, the band has received prominent heads of state such as US President Barack Obama, Namibian President Hage Geingob and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi. [2] [3] [4] It also takes part in smaller scale events such as the DEFABA CDF cup [5] and the aircraft. [6] The band wears a distinctive black monkey bearskin based on the one that is used by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards of the British Army. An associated band called the Kenya Air Force Pipe Band was founded in early 1971 at what was formerly RAF Eastleigh. [7]
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. They are made up of the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force. The current KDF was established, and its composition stipulated, in Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya; it is governed by the KDF Act of 2012. Its main mission is the defence and protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kenya, recruitment to the KDF is done on yearly basis. The President of Kenya is the commander-in-chief of the KDF, and the Chief of Defence Forces is the highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military adviser to the President of Kenya.
Lieutenant general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank originates from the Old European System. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a captain general.
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces. The lowest officer rank, it is usually placed below lieutenant or first lieutenant.
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Jamhuri Day is a national holiday in Kenya, celebrated on 12 December each year. Jamhuri is the Swahili word for "republic" and the holiday officially marks the date when Kenya became an independent country on 12 December 1963, six months and eleven days after gaining internal self-rule on 1 June 1963 from the United Kingdom. Kenya later became a republic, with the inauguration of Jomo Kenyatta as president taking place on 12 December 1964, exactly one year after Kenya attained independence in 1963. Kenyatta, having previously been sworn in as prime minister, continued as prime minister of newly independent Kenya, before assuming the position of president one year after Independence Day.
A guard of honour, honor guard or ceremonial guard, is a group of people, typically drawn from the military, appointed to perform ceremonial duties – for example, to receive or guard a head of state or other dignitaries, the fallen in war, or to attend at state ceremonials, especially funerals. In military weddings, especially those of commissioned officers, a guard, composed usually of service members of the same branch, form the sabre arch. In principle, any military unit could act as a guard of honour. In some countries, certain units are specially assigned to undertake guard of honour postings or other public duties. Republican guards, royal guards and foot guards frequently have ceremonial duties assigned to them.
The Ministry of Defence is a Ministry of the Federal Government of Nigeria with the statutory responsibility of overseeing and supervising the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence is headed by the Minister of Defence, a cabinet-level head who reports directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Its main mission is to provide administrative and support services, timely and effectively to enable the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Major general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general.
Rank comparison chart of naval forces of Commonwealth of Nations states.
Rank comparison chart of air forces of Commonwealth of Nations states.
Rank comparison chart of air forces of Commonwealth of Nations states.
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The Kenya Navy Band is the sole musical unit in the Kenya Navy and one of three state-sponsored military bands in the Kenya Defence Forces.