The USAF Pipe Band was activated in 1950 as a subordinate unit of the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps at the instigation of the chief of headquarters command at Bolling Air Force Base.

[1] Posted to Bolling Air Force Base throughout its existence, its first pipe major was "Scottie" Grubbs, formerly a piper in the Black Watch of the British Army.

[1] Due to USAF uniform regulations, the band was not initially authorized to wear highland dress, however, an intervention by Curtis LeMay subsequently allowed its adoption.

[1][2] Reestablished as an independent unit in 1960, it was deactivated in 1970 despite objections printed in several leading newspapers, including one penned by Russell Kirk.

[6] Following deactivation, a single piper was transferred to the United States Air Force Band as the service's sole remaining musician of this type.