Tops in Blue perform in Great Falls

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  More than 200 guests gathered at the Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls Dec. 10 to see the U.S. Air Force's premier entertainment troupe, Tops in Blue.

"Tops in Blue is something we look forward to having here every year," said Kathy Desy, 341st Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Services flight chief. "Those Airmen work really hard to put on the show and its amazing watching the process and being able to see them perform. I think people really enjoyed the show."

The show began with a few words from Col. Anthony Cotton, 341st Missile Wing vice commander, who thanked everyone for coming and prepared the crowd for what was sure to be an exciting evening.

As he took his seat and the lights dimmed, the band began to play the introduction and finally it was show time.

This group of multi-talented active-duty Airmen mesmerized the crowd with a combination of dazzling lights, fancy footwork and elaborate sequin-adorned costumes as they performed all-American country music, Broadway and hits from the top of the charts.

"Being able to sing with Tops in Blue is an amazing experience," said Tech. Sgt. Alison Maldonado, 204th Airlift Squadron personnel craftsman. "It's tough, because we have so many responsibilities and it's a lot of hard work but it's also a lot of fun."

Not only do members of Tops in Blue perform, but they also have technicians, transporters, and engineers who set up and run the performances.

"Many don't know it, but we set up more than 54,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio, video and special-effects equipment every show," Sergeant Maldonado said. "Everyone has different individual responsibilities whether its setup, lodging, dining, wardrobe or my duty, as flight chief. Basically I'm in charge of their performance feedbacks, EPR's and evaluations."

Airmen in charge of lighting and audio are also tasked with setting up and tearing down equipment for every show.

"As an audio engineer, we have a lot of different things that we might be asked to do from repair and sound issues to troubleshooting," said Staff Sgt. Christina Wells, 93rd Intelligence Squadron national tactical integration analyst. "It can get pretty hard sometimes and it's always very busy because of our schedule, but it's been a mind-blowing experience thus far. I've been places I've never thought I'd go."

Tops in Blue will continue to tour worldwide until March, serving as ambassadors for the U.S. Air Force and providing quality entertainment for Airmen, their families and the public.