News

Two Dover Airmen entertain troops worldwide in Tops In Blue

  • Published
  • By Susan E. Walls
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Air Force's Expeditionary Entertainers the "Tops In Blue" performed an intricate mixture of musical sounds of America before a packed house of more than 800 guests at the Delaware State University Education and Humanities Center Oct. 26. 

This year's theme, "What's Love?" featured the music of Tina Turner, Barry White, Huey Lewis, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Rod Stewart, Celine Dion and the Temptations.
Combined with a mixture of precision choreography, special-effects lighting, costumes and talented musicians, the 35-member cast performed a high-energy, 90-minute show. 

Celebrating 53 years of Air Force entertainment history, Tops in Blue represents one of the oldest and widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind, and travels wherever the U.S. Forces are stationed. 

Each cast begins their year-long adventure with 45 days of training and then a road trip that last nine months. The Tops in Blue original cast included the Air Force's own (retired Maj.) Glenn Miller, who later became famous for his big band sounds. 

A notable accomplishment, the 2006 TIB Cast includes two Dover Team members: Senior Airman Adam Will and Senior Airman Robert Kalert, both from the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron. Airman Will, a pest management technician by trade, is a vocalist and dancer with Tops in Blue. Airman Kalert, a heavy equipment operator, is a musician with Tops In Blue. 

The Tops In Blue tour history is filled with endless stories of great audiences, special shows and new experiences - from Bob Hope birthday specials and the Super Bowl XIX Half-Time Show, to performing for heads of state and dignitaries throughout the world.
The global mission of Tops In Blue has continued to grow and the program now directly supports overseas deployments and the readiness of our Air Force more than ever before. Countries such as Taiwan, Bulgaria, Iceland, Thailand, Saudi-Arabia, Albania, Vietnam and Cuba have all experienced the extraordinary entertainment of Tops in Blue.
Wherever U.S. Air Force troops deploy, the team travels into remote deployed locations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Kuwait and Iraq. 

Always aiming to please their audiences, the cast has delivered every type of music you can imagine.
"I am so proud of these performers," said Col. Merrill Alligood, 436th Operations Group commander, who officially opened the show. 

"Their talents are amazing and what makes each of them even more special, is that they're their own support staff." 

For each performance, the group is responsible for setting up more than 40,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio and special effects equipment. 

"They have our utmost admiration and thanks for their impact of delivering happiness and a touch of home to our troops all over the world," Colonel Alligood said.