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Deployed troops vibe to the beat of 'Tops in Blue'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eric Summers Jr.
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and partner units rocked to the various tunes of the U.S. Air Force's 'Tops in Blue,' July 22, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

The world-traveling group of Airmen comprised of 36 talented vocalists, musicians, dancers and technicians from different career fields throughout the Air Force, provided musical entertainment and a break from the heat and normal daily activities.

"I think it's really cool how they come out and entertain people and serve as a good stress breaker," said Cadet Kevin Ueunten, an Air Force Academy student here as part of the school's Deployed Operations program.

The group performed songs ranging from the early 1900s to present day hits showcasing the different genres and changes in music as part of their theme for the 2011 tour, "Rhythm Nation."

"I am enjoying it a lot. I like the variety of all the music and them going through all the big hits from over the years...I'm glad I came to the show," said 1st Lt. Anna Cichocki, Combined Air and Space Operations Center.

From dancing to singing, the group kept the crowd entertained and one lucky lady had a chance to get close and personal with the performers during the show.

"I was honored," said Senior Airman Amber Metts, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group bio-environmental, after she was brought to the stage by one of the singers and serenaded in front of the audience. "I was just listening to him, and I could hear everyone in the crowd cheering him on."

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gordon Richards, a flight engineer with the VP10 Patrol Squadron, said he was able to see the show back in 2009 and knew it was going to be a good show.

"I thought it was pretty cool. I liked the whole history of music," said Richards. "For these guys to do all of this is a lot of work. It's pretty remarkable and [they are] a solid group of individuals."

And a lot of work it was. Before the show, 'Tops in Blue' members along with a handful of volunteers set up the stage and equipment to include the lights, audio system and microphones. Then directly following the show, they pulled it all down and packed up for the next leg of the tour. The group has been following this routine for the past ten days, performing eight shows at various locations to help boost the morale of deployed service members.

"At first I thought they were really up-playing this a lot," said Senior Airman Zachery Rayburn, vocalist from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., about his first trip to the AOR. "But after we did the very first show in Kyrgyzstan and when we got off stage the first time and started shaking people's hands, with just real genuine heart-felt smiles, one guy said it was the best experience that he had in five months."

Senior Airman Kristina Overton, vocalist from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, said the best part about being with 'Tops in Blue' is giving back; being able to talk with different people and having a positive effect on their lives.

"We get to meet people on a regular basis...being able to bring so much to other people," Overton said. "They tell you at the beginning that it's not easy and it's all about giving back...after [coming off stage] you get to meet people and they tell us how they loved the show, how we've [impacted] their lives and how it's going to affect them in the future, and I think that's the most powerful thing that this program offers."

"I like that they came to a deployed environment," said Metts. "I love seeing them in uniform because it shows that they are still regular Airmen like us."