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AFCENT Band Wild Blue Country goes "Special Ops"

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Karl Bradley
  • Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  About once a month the troops assigned to the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command (CFSOCC) put on a BBQ like no other. It features the cooking talents of some of its members and quality time with friends and leadership.

This elite group of men and women are an independent, joint, fully functional extension of their Headquarters at McDill AFB in Tampa, Fla. Air Forces Central Band Wild Blue Country was invited to perform during the festivities and provided the finishing touch with some tasty country flavors from back home.

Sgt. David Singleton, CSFOCC J1, stayed up late the night before preparing his own brand of BBQ marinade while Chief Warrant Officer Jim Chianese, CFSOCC J8, made pizza dough to be cooked over the open flames.

"I enjoyed the event. The food was great and the band was awesome," said Airman 1st Class Kenneth Keith, CFSOCC CG Admin. "It reminded me of my current duty station (back home)."

As the grill was fired up and all the goodies were laid out, the band heated up with country classics and rock-n-roll to kick-off the night. The setting was perfect with great smells, a beautiful view of the sunset and cigars provided by CFSOCC Sgt. Major Vic Morrow.

"I want to say thank you to the AFCENT Band Wild Blue Country for their performance at the compound. What better way to spend the day than listening to live music, talking with friends and eating some BBQ," said Staff Sgt. Scott Ashcroft, USMC, CFSOCC Paralegal Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. "I also want the thank AFCENT for providing such a talented group of guys (service members) who are deployed to the AOR (area of responsibility), to bring us a little piece of home."

The personnel assigned to this Special Operations hub are doing great things they can't discuss, with people they can't identify, in a place they can't disclose, so they can positively affect current operations. It remains a difficult assignment but morale is high and passion for what they bring to the fight is apparent.

"It was a real privilege... an added bonus to have you (Wild Blue Country) at our team building event. You brought both cheer and esprit de corps to our evening," said Col. Bradley Thompson. "Everyone left happier; it was a real boost to our morale! We are grateful for your performance!"