Kadena members may be in 'Jeopardy'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNEWS) --  The host of the "Jeopardy" television game show visited Kadena Air Base March 31 to meet the military members here and search for future contestants as part of a USO-sponsored tour of military bases in the Pacific region. 

"There are military members stationed all around the world and some of them are on long deployments," Alex Trebek said. "As a result, they don't have the opportunity to come to us in the states and try out for the show. It's tough being far away from home, so we bring home to you, and that's what the USO is all about." 

More than 300 active-duty military members, family members and civilian employees took the 10-question pre-test. More than 70 passed the test, the highest pass rate on the tour, and went on to take a 50-question qualifying test at Camp Kinser April 1, hoping to be selected for the show. 

"I've been trying to get on 'Jeopardy' since I was in high school," said Capt. Jason Greenleaf of the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron. 

Monica Parada, a Kadena AB Information Tickets and Tours travel agent, said she only came out to get Mr. Trebek's autograph for herself and a friend. 

"I'm a big fan of the show and I even had the 'Jeopardy' game for the original Nintendo game system," she said. 

Mr. Trebek said he's been hosting "Jeopardy" longer than many Airmen have been alive -- 23 years. He added he's done almost as much traveling as an active-duty military member. 

During his tour of the Pacific region, his 12th USO tour, Mr. Trebek also visited South Korea, the Philippines and mainland Japan. 

The game show started offering military members stationed overseas a chance to try out for the show nearly 16 years ago. 

"We realize many people back home in the states are not aware of what our military members do in these foreign locations," the "Jeopardy" host said. "We know about what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, but outside of that, most people are unaware of the mission in the Pacific and the sacrifices members make to fulfill that mission. We want to show our military members that we haven't forgotten about them and we appreciate the sacrifices they're making on our behalf. America supports them and so do the folks at 'Jeopardy.'"

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