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34 Airmen selected for Tops In Blue

Posted 2/11/2011 Email story   Print story

    

2/11/2011 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the names of 34 Airmen selected for the 2011 Tops In Blue tour.

In December 2010, 73 Airmen competed as singers, dancers, musicians and technicians for Tops In Blue slots during the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The selected Airmen will go on to serve as ambassadors in the Air Force's premier expeditionary entertainment unit, traveling to more than 20 countries and performing more than 120 shows in 2011.

Members of the 2011 Tops In Blue team are:

-- Senior Airman Clanette Boone, from Fort Gordon, Ga.
-- Tech. Sgt. Douglas Boren, from McConnell AFB, Kan.
-- Airman 1st Class Petrice Brown, from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
-- Airman 1st Class Jarrod Burton, from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
-- Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Cleghorn, from Sembach Air Base, Germany
-- Airman 1st Class Jerad Cremers, from Pope AFB, N.C.
-- Senior Airman Tommie Crutcher, from Dyess AFB, Texas
-- Airman 1st Class Kegan Davis, from Moody AFB, Ga.
-- 2nd Lt. Robert Doyle, from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
-- Staff Sgt. Abigail Foster, from Fairchild AFB, Wash.
-- Airman 1st Class Aimee Grills, from Eielson AFB, Alaska
-- Airman 1st Class Maxwell Hulett, from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
-- Senior Master Sgt. Clayton Johnson, from Peterson AFB, Colo.
-- Tech. Sgt. Jermaine Johnson, from Peterson AFB, Colo.
-- Staff Sgt. Mark Lindquist, from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
-- Senior Airman Brittney Loving, from Dyess AFB, Texas
-- Staff Sgt. Rosalyn Moody, from Dover AFB, Del.
-- Airman 1st Class Cordero Nichols, from Misawa Air Base, Japan
-- Patrick O'Shaughnessy, from Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
-- Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton, from Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
-- Senior Airman Emerald Payne, from Ramstein AB, Germany
-- Airman 1st Class Steve Pearson, from Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
-- Airman 1st Class Ryan Ratkowski, from Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
-- Senior Airman Zachery Rayburn, from Buckley AFB, Colo.
-- Airman 1st Class James Santos, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
-- Staff Sgt. Heather Slade, from Holloman AFB, N.M.
-- Staff Sgt. Derek Speights, from Moody AFB, Ga.
-- Senior Airman Quentin Thomas, from Little Rock AFB, Ark.
-- Airman 1st Class Kristin Wash, from Joint Base Andrews, Md.
-- Airman 1st Class Michael Williams, from Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
-- Senior Airman Scott Williams, from Dover AFB, Del.
-- Senior Airman Alexandria Yeddo, from Dover AFB, Del.
-- Airman 1st Class Lindsay Zachrey, from Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
-- Airman 1st Class Craig Zimmermann, from MacDill AFB, Fla.

After completing a training regimen at Lackland AFB, the Tops In Blue 2011 Team will hit the road in late April presenting their new show titled "Rhythm Nation."

For tour schedules, details on how to join and other information, visit http://www.topsinblue.com. Follow Tops In Blue on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aftopsinblue, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tops-In-Blue/178040815544510 or read the blog at http://tib.dodlive.mil.

(Courtesy of Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs)



tabComments
6/10/2011 3:53:27 PM ET
I spent 20 years, two months and seven days in the Navy and never witnessed anything like TIB. I've worked on Andrews Air Force Base since 1998. I think TIB is a great concept. I think it would have been good morale booster for those Sailors who spend six months or more at sea. As a civilian, my family and I look forward to watching them perform every time they come to Andrews. The Chief's Own.
Bobby Jones, Joint Base Andrews
 
2/16/2011 10:40:48 AM ET
Congrats to those selected for TIB2011. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. And to inform the uninformed in uniform...before they can even compete all members must get permission from their commanders. A change in manning and/or readiness has prevented selectees from touring. Mission is ALWAYS first and they are well aware of this.
Agena, OOooklahoma
 
2/15/2011 4:05:30 PM ET
I agree with almost all the posters that Tops in Blue is a great show, but I I've heard the CSAF and SECAF state retention is at a 15 year high. Likewise if you asked most Airmen do you want a day off or do you want to go see TiB I'm sure the bigger morale booster would be the day off. Once again, great show, but it should be a nice to have not a must have.
John G, Langley
 
2/15/2011 11:22:34 AM ET
Shame on all of you who commented so horribly about your fellow Airmen. I'm disgusted. It's attitudes like that which give our service a bad name--like not being team players. Tops In Blue is a morale program which many service members enjoy, ESPECIALLY when in a deployed location and away from there families. Whatever it takes to put a smile on an Airman's face and help them through the coming days.
AF Barbie, Minot
 
2/15/2011 10:07:13 AM ET
I concur with all of the previous comments and I really hope Air Force leaders listen. Fielding an entertainment unit no longer makes sense and is something that I believe tax payers will look at as a ridiculous waste in these times of fiscal hardship. These people will be plucked from their career fields, leaving others with more work. Some traditions need to die.
Texas Pete, Texas
 
2/15/2011 8:44:51 AM ET
Obviously you all have not seen Tops in Blue or you would not make these comments. Tops in Blue is a great recruiting tool. In addition, it is a great way to bring a bit of culture and enjoyment to those who can't see a Broadway show. I have spent 23 years in the Air Force and seen a heck of lot more money wasted on junk instead of something that brings enjoyment to millions. The money spent here is far better than trying to spend year-end money on junk that squadrons, groups and wings don't need but are spending so that they don't lose the money next year because if you don't spend it they will cut you back next year. That is fraud waste and abuse.
Eric, NC
 
2/15/2011 7:51:47 AM ET
Though I've never been part of TIB I've enjoyed their performances for many years and feel that it's a good way to somehow boost the morale, camaraderie and pride amoung our very own AF folks. So I don't quite understand why our very own AF members are whining about the budget and the time TIB members spend away from their home stations when we have groups of slackers from different levels i.e. squadron, group etc. who surf the net all day long, gossip and pretty much don't know how to do their jobs. Enough said...
MSgt, Texas
 
2/15/2011 5:48:47 AM ET
I enjoy going to TIB shows. I make every show possible. They are all fit and focused airman who want to do something different in their Air Force careers. I pray this show never stops and also for all the people complaining. These individuals getting kicked out the Air Force are those who have troubles managing their behavior, wieght and military careers. TIB personnel all have been selected to represent the Air Force and its multitude of talent. BUT I guess I'm just one of those airmen who doesn't have remorse for the overwieght or troubled airmen who, after they have had plenty time and chances, want to stay in the Air Force. I'm sorry if I don't want you to be my wingman. Thank you TIB for bringing your awesome performance to Incirlik AB, Turkey!
taniah otis, incirlik turkey
 
2/15/2011 12:53:11 AM ET
Just wanted to say that I'm glad there are people who read this and share my view on the subject. I haven't been in for long but the Air Force has always hammered the need for Mission Readiness into every briefing that I've heard. In these times where our service dress uniforms cannot be amended due to the need for funds to be allocated to the war effort I can see no point to continuing this program which, as some have already stated, takes Airmen away from their job and allows them to pursue something that only serves in a morale-raising role. Frankly the Air Force spends enough making its bases the envy of the other services. I've never needed my morale raised. If something like Tops In Blue could raise my morale I would just watch Glee.
anonymous, Texas
 
2/14/2011 9:19:30 PM ET
They entertain. They do it very well and work extremely hard for our troops overseas and CONUS. If you think they just show up on a base and everything is set up, that they sing and dance and magically reappear at another base, think again. They are working extremely hard from touchdown to wheels up. Realize the mission, understand their hard work, and appreciate their talent. Though not traditional, it does serve a valid purpose, and no, I was never in Tops in Blue.
DP, C Springs CO
 
2/14/2011 8:43:04 PM ET
The fact that Air Force funds and spends all this money on Tops in Blues is a bit ridiculous. You know how much money we are spending as a branch with per diem and etc, yet we are forcing people out the military becuase we are broke. I understand the whole morality thing on this aspect which is probably why Top In Blue exists but don't you think there's a cheaper way in raising the Air Force moral? Singing Lady Gaga and paying airman ridiculous amounts of money to do so is NOT mission critical. Just a thought.
Michael, Kadena Japan
 
2/14/2011 4:59:41 PM ET
Really? This story is on the same page as the budget discipline story? Really?
MM, NE
 
2/13/2011 10:15:28 PM ET
Nice - the Air Force version of Glee lives on.
IM Done, PAFB
 
2/13/2011 12:14:33 PM ET
While I congratulate the selectees and commend their talents the question is should the USAF continue to support this activity during these lean fiscal times While TIB uses non-appropriated funds these 34 Airmen will leave home-station vacancies whose mission related workload will need to be backfilled atop any other AOR deployment related mission vacancies and personnel travel pay and entitlements still come out of appropriated funds. I note 5 selectees come from bases with nuclear missions to include 4 from Malmstrom... can the mission support that And what is the true value-added and cost benefit in this age of internet media in terms of being ambassadors and recruiting tools This is not 1955. From my expereince having seen TIB perform several times at home stations and deployed while the performces were good the base turnout was pretty anemic and consisted mostly of dependents at home station rather than service members. And how many forms of expeditionary ambassadors d
CP , Colo Spgs CO
 
2/12/2011 5:39:41 PM ET
I don't understand how we can continue to force shape people out of the Air Force year after year but we continue to fund Tops in Blues bands choirs etc. How about a serious look at these programs and the purpose the serve. I've heard they help recruit people argument....really When have you ever heard someone say I joined the AF because Tops in Blues' rendition of Poker Face really made me want to join. I realize that the overall cost of bandschoirs are just a drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things but how are these groups considered essential to the mission
T. Ferguson, Ice Station Zebra
 
2/11/2011 10:22:42 PM ET
The real title of this article 34 Airmen hide out from their career fields and leave others holding the bag. Tops In Blue Fraud Waste and Abuse.
SSgt Sean, Afghanistan
 
2/11/2011 6:46:29 PM ET
The title should read 34 Air Force manpower positions identified as unnecessary.We're going to be kicking people out because they cost too much to retain but we have enough slack in the budget for this. Please.
Bill, Maryland
 
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