Operation Season's Greetings huge smash at Bagram!

Published Nov. 30, 2006
By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The mountains surrounding Bagram Airfield echoed the sounds of rock, blues, country and laughter as Operation Season's Greetings presented a top-notch show to the troops Nov. 28.

The show is an annual event sponsored by Headquarters United States Air Force Europe and the Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service and has given performances at several locations in Germany, Turkey and Southwest Asia.

The project started more than nine years ago and was designed as a way to bring high-quality entertainment to troops away from home and family during the holidays. Past performers on the tour have included Jay Leno, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Lee Greenwood. This year's effort is a collaboration between the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, the USAFE band along with USAFE services.

Headlining the show was county superstar Ms. Jamie O'Neal. She is best known for her number one hits "There is No Arizona" and "When I think about Angels." Along with those crowd favorites, Ms. O'Neal performed songs from her newest CD. Although she enjoyed performing her songs, she was happy to be part of a team traveling to each of the locations.

"I'm thrilled to have John Popper, Delilah, six of the New England Patriots cheerleaders and members of the Air Force Band along to accompany me on this tour to entertain U.S. military men and women around the world," said Ms. O'Neal.

Mr. John Popper, a member of the blues rock band Blues Traveler, really brought the crowd alive with his high-intensity vocals and harp playing. He also electrified the audience with his sincere dedication to showing them his appreciation for their service. While he enjoyed playing his songs and putting on a show for the troops, Mr. Popper claimed his real enjoyment came from meeting the troops and talking with them one-on-one.

"I'm just so amazed by what kids half my age can do," Mr. Popper said. "We don't feel like we hold a candle to the Airmen."

Mr. Popper played several of his favorites along with new hits from his latest album and was accompanied by members of the reserve band.

"OSG is unique in that it also showcases the talent of our own Air Force entertainers. It often comes as a surprise to the audience just how great our own band members are when they have a chance to step away from the standard ceremonial, protocol and concert venues," said Mr. Dave Ballengee, deputy director of the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Music wasn't the only thing entertaining the troops. Radio personality and disc jockey Delilah wowed the troops with her comedic talent along with her sharing personal sentiments regarding her own attachment to the military, a brother who died in a aircraft training accident. She also took the time to share a conversation she had with a spouse of a deployed Bagram Airman.

"I really, really wanted to do this tour," said Delilah. "I told my boss, I know you can say no to this, but I just have to do this tour. Thankfully he said yes."

"I receive so many calls every night from people who have loved ones in harm's way, and my heart breaks thinking about the fear they live with every day," said Delilah. "I hope that by visiting the troops and bringing them some holiday cheer, they will feel the love and respect we have for them each and every day."

Introducing each act and showing her own comedic ability and timing was former CBS reporter and afternoon anchor Ms. Mary Therese Tebbe. She left the broadcasting business in March to head up 21st Century Partnership, an advocacy group at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia.

"I always wanted to join the Air Force. My father was a reserve recruiter and he actually talked me out of it, which I always found ironic as it was his job to get other father's daughters to join the service," said Ms. Tebbe with a smile.

"This is my way of getting out and thank the troops for what they do," she added.

Rounding out the show and bringing the largest response from the primarily male audience were the talented cheerleaders from the New England Patriots football team. The opened the show and "made it a little warmer in here against the cold night air." Their act consisted of multiple dance numbers to great classic rock and roll numbers along with audience participation on stage.

"I wanted the audience to know that whether you are a football fan or not, this show is a nice reminder of home," said Ms. Stacey McIntyre, a Patriot cheerleader on her second tour with Air Force bands. "It's our little way of saying thank you."

"The most important message is that we love and support our men and women in uniform," said Ms. Kristen O'Neil, a Patriot cheerleader whose grandfather served in World War II. "We are all very thankful for their dedication to our country."

Known as "Citizen Airmen," Air Force reservists are frontline troops actively engaged in worldwide missions. Air Force Reserve Command has about 75,000 reservists on full and part-time duty in every job specialty, contributing to virtually every Air Force mission.

"The Operation Season's Greetings tour is exactly what the Air Force prioritizes for Air Force bands," said Mr. Ballangee. "We're going to forward and deployed locations for the morale of the troops."

(Mr. Steven French, HQ AFRC/PA contributed to this article.)