Base supports successful Tops In Blue visit

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  More than 800 people attended the 2010 Tops In Blue performance "We Believe," Tuesday night at the Misawa Civic Center.

The performance by the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase came together thanks to the help of numerous base organizations and volunteers.

"If there was no support on this end then it wouldn't have happened," said Ammie O'Grady, 35th Force Support Squadron and Misawa's Tops In Blue project officer. "We don't actually talk to the Tops In Blue team until they step off the plane."

Due to the tight travelling schedule of the performers, host bases like Misawa work with the Air Force Entertainment office to prepare for the visit. As project officer, Ms. O'Grady relied on her two previous years experience working on a Tops In Blue visit to help coordinate for the visit. However, it would not have been possible without the support she received from the rest of the base, she said. With 30 committee members and more than 100 volunteers, Ms. O'Grady said everyone really stepped up to help.

"It doesn't get done without a good committee," she said. "People stepped up and made things go smoothly."

Members of the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron helped prep the venue beginning on Friday by clearing snow setting up. The 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron played a key role in loading and transporting the 60,000 pounds of equipment, as well as transporting show goers on performance night. Nearly every agency on base, from lodging and force support to protocol, security forces and medical, was involved in some way, said Ms. O'Grady.

"The tour manager said everything was perfect and things went so smooth," said Ms. O'Grady. "The only reason it was so successful was because of the committee and volunteers I had. It would not have been successful if those people did not do their best and do what they did."