Laughs, lyrics uplift deployed service members

Published Dec. 3, 2011
By Senior Airman Eric Summers Jr.
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Dazzling lights filled the eyes of spectators while vibrations echoed through their bodies as the sounds grew louder and louder. While most Airmen deployed here are accustomed to these sensations as B-1B Lancers take-off and land, these were derived from a more symphonic source on an eventful night, Nov. 2, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

The event that stimulated three of the five senses, or four of six if you include heart-felt laughter, consisted of performances for the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition partners by the rock band "Daughtry," comedians Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias and Alfred Robles, and "Reserve Generation" from the band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. The event was part of "Operation Seasons Greetings" -- Tour for the Troops 2011 and was sponsored by the Air Force Reserve Command

"It's called 'Operation Seasons Greetings' and we are trying to bring a little home to them and give them a good time while they are out here," said Chris Daughtry, lead singer of "Daughtry."

The event opened with "Reserve Generation" playing rock tunes as the crowd started to gather. Following the military band, Robles opened up and Iglesias brought the house down with his popular humor.

Army Spc. Adam Bonds, 243 Air Defense Artillery Brigade, deployed from Fort Bliss, N.M., said the comedy was the best part of the show for him because he enjoys a good laugh.

"The comedians were great," said the native of Savannah, Ga. "I was laughing the whole time they were on."

Iglesias met his goals of cheering people up and providing service members with a memory of a good time.

"Our goal is to boost morale, make everybody happy and make people forget about what's going on just for a little bit," the comedian said. "Also, just to remind people that people back at home are thinking about them and wishing they get home safely."

Following Iglesias' hilarious show, the laughter quickly turned into screams and singing as the crowd was pumped up by the rock music of "Daughtry."

"I was very excited when I heard that they were coming here," said Tech. Sgt. Renee Torres, Combined Air and Space Operations Center security manger, deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. "I like [all types of music] so I really enjoyed it."

Daughtry said, "We're here for the troops -- as simple as that. We came to bring entertainment and hopefully give [service members] some joy for the holidays."

"It's a blast just looking around seeing everyone having a good time," said Capt. Linsey Rivas, 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron maintenance operations officer, deployed from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. "They are amazing performers and I'm glad that they took the time to come out here and play for us and travel thousands of miles away from their families."

The crowd's appreciation for the performers could be heard in the laughs, screams and applause during their acts.

"We just want them to take away a great experience. We realize that they have been away from their families in most cases longer than we ever have to be," Daughtry said. "We just want them to have a good time and know that we are here for them and we support them."

Daughtry and Iglesias have mutual feelings for coming overseas and performing for the deployed forces.

"I did a tour in 2008 for the USO and it went over very well, everybody was excited, so I wanted to make it a point to do a tour like this every year since then, so when the opportunity came up to do this I jumped on it," Iglesias said. "We are bringing a little bit of home over here."

The tour is designed to enhance troop morale and raise awareness of the Air Force Reserve's role in the joint and Total Force partnership.

"It's nice and a good change from the normal atmosphere," Torres, a native of Las Vegas, Nev., said. "I appreciate them coming out here and seeing what we do as a whole. We need to know people do care and understand what we do."

"I really appreciate the ones who put this all together, keeping our spirits high and focused to get home to our families."

Rivas, a native of Brooklyn, Mich., said she enjoyed seeing all the positive energy from people laughing and singing.

"Events like these are important to lift morale and break up the monotony of being deployed," the captain said.