 The Band of the Pacific embarked on the first international trip since 2020. The band consists of three ensembles focusing on different musical capabilities. The four-member group Smallkind is a smaller acoustic group that brings popular American and local style music to various countries across the Pacific. The group's members consist of senior airman Guy James on guitar, senior airman Nolji Vasquez on bass, technical sergeant Quincy Brown on drums, and technical sergeant Rachel Wilson on vocals. They also travel with an audio engineer, staff sergeant Dave Wilson. Together, Smallkind traveled to the island nation of Palau. The Republic of Palau consists of 340 islands with a population of 18,000 people. Palau has a rich history of partnership with the United States, culminating with Palau joining the Compact of Free Association in 1994, alongside the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. During the trip, Smallkind played multiple shows at local engagements, including a packed local night market and other smaller events with combined American and Palauan audiences. On this trip, Smallkind set out to accomplish three goals, to inspire, connect, and honor. Smallkind inspired local audiences with a masterful mix of popular American, local Hawaiian, and Palauan arrangements. They connected through collaboration with local Palauan artist Raven Ringelby. And they honored the rich American military history in Palau to include the Marine Corps landing on Pellilu on September 15, 1944. Smallkind reinforced the friendship between Palau and the United States as they worked together towards the common value of a free and open Indo-Pacific.