Senior Master Sgt. Jermoe Oddo, lead vocals and bass of "Wild Blue Country," the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, thanks the Airmen of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing for coming out and listen to them play a set. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen)
Tech. Sgt. Stephen Brannen of "Wild Blue Country," the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, plays the guitar during a concert for the Airmen of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing for coming out and listening to them play a set. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen)
Tech. Sgt. Jeff Valentine of "Wild Blue Country" the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, plays the pedal steel guitar during a concert for Airmen of the 438th AEW at the Afghan Conference Center at Afghan Air Force Base, Kabul. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen
by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko
NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
4/20/2011 - KABUL -- The Air Forces Central band "Wild Blue Country" performed back-to-back nights at Camp Eggers in Kabul, April 17 and 18, 2011.
Showcasing a wide-range of styles from country to pop, the shows were part of a tour covering various bases throughout Kabul. The day before arriving at Eggers, Wild Blue Country played for servicemembers operating on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul.
"It was awesome...right here in our backyard and we really enjoyed it," said Maj. Anquenepta Blount, one of the many who made their way out to the first of two performances. "They played a lot of good songs."
Blount's reaction is what helps drive the band members as they make their way throughout Afghanistan and neighboring countries in the region.
"If we can just take [our listeners] away from their mission for just a few minutes so they can get recharged, take them back home and remind them what it's like, then we've done our mission," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Oddo, the group's lead singer.
