Tops in Blue perform for Great Falls

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Tops in Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit, performed their latest show, "We Believe," for a crowd of local residents, Airmen and their families Aug. 11 at the Montana Expo Park in Great Falls.

Among the performers were three Malmstrom Airmen first selected to tour with the group in March: Senior Airman Adam Rideaux, from the 341st Medical Group; and Capt. John Early, and Senior Airman Breyson Robinson, from the 10th Missile Squadron.

In the past six months, the three have immersed themselves in work that is close to their hearts but far from the missile field -- from forward operating bases in Iraq to royal air force bases in the United Kingdom.

Captain Early, the officer in charge of Tops in Blue, thought the group's trip to Southwest Asia was the most memorable so far because of oppressive heat and humidity, but rated his personal growth as a leader among his most rewarding experiences with the troupe.

"I've been a lot busier than I ever thought I was going to be, but it's been a lot of fun at the same time," he said. "I get to work with a lot more people than out in the missile field and I'm exposed to a lot more personalities as opposed to being with just a missile combat crew deputy commander. I have four different flights under me, and the unit is set up just like a squadron, including a first sergeant and a tour manager."

Captain Early is also a vocalist with the unit and sang Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" during a solo in one of the evening's opening acts.

Airman Rideaux, who performed a beat-box medley of Michael Jackson hits complete with mime back-up dancers during the show, said his most memorable experience during the past six months took place not on-stage, but in a deployed dining facility.

"I remember one time in the desert I was in the 'D-FAC' and I saw a guy who was in line in front of me with a prosthetic leg," he said. "I actually took a picture of him because it reminded me that this is what we're here for. These are the people who are fighting the real war and it just touched me. That's what we're all about, bringing morale and some normalness to these people who need it, the ones that are fighting for us."

Airman Rideaux, who is a magician and vocalist for the troupe, said the interaction with audience members is also a highlight of his unique role as a member of Tops in Blue.

"After performances when we do meet-and-greets you can see it in their eyes that we actually reached them, that we really made a difference," he said. "We always hear that we make a difference but to actually see it and feel it when they come up to you and to see just how appreciative they are- it means the world."

After Airman Rideau's spotlight performance, the tempo shifted into the show's intermission, where Airman Robinson played a drum solo followed by a drum duel with fellow Tops in Blue member Airman 1st Class Jonathan Velasquez.

"Meeting all these different people is amazing," Airman Robinson said. "I never knew there was so much talent in the Air Force."

Among the lessons Airman Robinson has learned during his assignment, professionalism "tops" his list.

"We've had a lot of protocol classes to teach us how to be gentlemen, how to act, where to set up flags - things you really don't think a lot of time goes into," he said. "Once you break it down though and you're on the other end, you realize what goes into setting up the event or prepping to meet a commander or the head of an organization. It gets pretty in depth and that attention to detail is something I'll take with me when this is all over."

The three will return to Malmstrom in March, bringing with them the lessons they have learned from visiting more than 25 countries providing what Col. Anthony Cotton, 341st Missile Wing commander, calls "Top-tier entertainment."