Television star visits troops in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Munsey
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  It is a common refrain in the cut-throat world of stand-up comedy that the hungriest and most fearless performers will go anywhere and work any room to get their levity-rich message to the masses.

Drew Carey, among the most recognizable comedians in the world, stretched the “have laughs, will travel” axiom to its continent-bouncing limits, headlining a five-person comedic team traveling to work frontline “rooms,” beginning here Aug. 24.

Before the team heads to the next location, there were some smiles to create at this forward-deployed location, Mr. Carey said.

“I came here to talk to the troops,” he said, and they were more than ready to chat and interact with him.

Starting with breakfast, Mr. Carey was working the room.

“I had the privilege of spending some time with Mr. Carey and his party,” said Col. Ted Kresge, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. “They’re down to earth, genuine Americans who came all the way to this area of responsibility just to thank you for serving.”

After visiting patients and caregivers at the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group, the team visited the flightline and fire house, meeting with enthusiastic troops along the way.

Staff Sgt. Andy Adducchio, 180th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief deployed from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Fighter Wing, was among many joined by Mr. Carey.

“It was really nice and definitely something interesting that I’d never expect to happen,” Sergeant Adducchio said. “It was something cool from home.”

Taking advantage of any available people, Sergeant Adducchio exploited the Ohio connection with Cleveland-born Mr. Carey, gearing him up for the afternoon’s missions.

“He actually assisted me with an F-16 (Fighting Falcon) launch,” the crew chief said.

It was just the latest military resume notch for Mr. Carey, who is no stranger to serving his country. Having completed a hitch in the Marine Corps Reserve after enlisting a quarter century ago, he knows firsthand the importance of time spent in an armed services uniform.

Above being a part of something bigger than himself, Mr. Carey said the self-respect it helped build was a gift that has kept on giving.

“A large part of my success is because of the military discipline I learned,” he said.

And he has been witnessing that very discipline firsthand since his arrival, getting a kick out of experiencing it through the eyes of his comedic team as they interact with young Airmen.

“They keep commenting on how amazingly mature everyone is,” Mr. Carey said.

Besides having a chance to get out and entertain the deployed masses, Mr. Carey sees his team’s visit as an important message from home -- “America Supports You.”

“It’s important that everyone here knows that we’re all behind them,” Mr. Carey said.

The comedic team included Steve Byrne, Pedro Hernandez, David Mordal and James Shubert.