35 Airmen selected for 2012 Tops in Blue tour

News > 35 Airmen selected for 2012 Tops in Blue tour

35 Airmen selected for 2012 Tops in Blue tour

Posted 2/13/2012 Updated 2/13/2012

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by Erin Tindell
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

2/13/2012 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the names of 35 Airmen selected for the 2012 Tops in Blue tour.

In January, more than 80 Airmen competed as singers, dancers, musicians, magicians and technicians for Tops in Blue slots during the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The selected Airmen will go on to serve as Air Force ambassadors in the Air Force's premier expeditionary entertainment unit, traveling to more than 20 countries and performing more than 120 shows this year.

Members of the 2012 Tops in Blue tour are:

Vocalists
-- Senior Airman Charles Cooper, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
-- Senior Airman Jessica Cunningham, Tinker AFB, Okla.
-- 1st Lt. Ashley Elmore, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
-- Senior Airman Robin Elrod, Osan AB, Korea
-- Airman 1st Class Joseph Hardeman, Cannon AFB, N.M.
-- Airman 1st Class Briana Hofreiter, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
-- Senior Airman Joanell Jackson, Fort Stewart, Ga.
-- Staff Sgt. Tyron Jones, Yokota AB, Japan
-- Airman 1st Class Joseph Kay, Dyess AFB, Texas
-- Airman 1st Class Jonathan Leak, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
-- Master Sgt. Matthew Lemieux, Ramstein AB, Germany
-- Senior Airman Emmanuel Maldonado Rosario, Keesler AFB, Miss.
-- Tech. Sgt. Tonie Marshall, Holloman AFB, N.M.
-- Senior Airman Kerrilee Meeker, Patrick AFB, Fla.
-- 2nd Lt. Joseph Mitchell, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom
-- 1st Lt. Kandis Rich, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
-- Airman 1st Class Timothy Sentz, Scott AFB, Ill.
-- Senior Airman Brandi Skillman, Minot AFB, N.D.
-- Staff Sgt. Gilbert Tarnate, Travis AFB, Calif.

Instrumentalists
-- Airman 1st Class Alexander Allred, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
-- Airman 1st Class Kenneth Del Valle Ruiz, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
-- Staff Sgt. Daniel Knight, Peterson AFB, Colo.
-- Airman 1st Class Jessica Pitts, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
-- Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Stocker, Gunter AFB, Ala.
-- Staff Sgt. Joshua Tarrant, Buckley AFB, Colo.
-- Airman 1st Class Wynton Warren, Kadena AB, Japan
-- Staff Sgt. Anthony Williams, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
-- Senior Airman Kyle Willis,Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Technicians
-- Senior Airman Ruth Bryce, Tinker AFB, Okla.
-- Senior Airman Brian Corsetti, Nellis AFB, Nev.
-- Airman 1st Class Nicholas Grazulis, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
-- Master Sgt. Kristopher Kobernus, Ramstein AB, Germany
-- Tech. Sgt. Michael Menges, Eglin AFB, Fla.
-- Airman 1st Class Roger Payne, Shaw AFB, S.C.
-- Airman 1st Class Julian Saviano, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

After completing a training regimen at Lackland AFB, the new Tops in Blue team will hit the road in June.

For a schedule of Tops in Blue performances or more information, visit www.topsinblue.com. Follow Tops in Blue at www.twitter.com/aftopsinblue, the Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/topsinblue or read blog entries at http://tib.dodlive.mil.

Comments

6/4/2012 5:37:12 PM ET
I am very supportive of the TIB. I have lived in places where there wasn't much entertainment for our troops and the TIB was always great about restoring morale..even if it were for just an hour. These people are away from their families for a year to train and tour so that other troops may expirience a free show. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to serve those who serve with you. The members of TIB don't just put on a great show they aswell make personal sacrifices inorder to shake their tails for entertaining our troops and their families. I believe that is what TIB is all about.

NC, Beale

3/2/2012 11:53:22 PM ET
I love the bashing of a group of mostly young folks who simply see an opportunity that involves hard work and talent and are doing something they enjoy that benefits MANY while not being cool enough for the whiny haters in the room. What really is there a complaint about The dated material perhaps but don't you know you also cater to the wants of those older and higher ranking than you Is it overpriced Well lets think. What isn't From the overpriced parts you replace to the video watching computer you are looking at to the the swiveling lounge chair and the self important hater who sits in it 80 percent of the day. I'd say TIB is not a drop in a very big bucket but a drop that is available to all and I know plays more than just on bases. I'm not TIB but I appreciate the acceptability of 35 people out of 500 thousand being able to do a music show as a 1 year part of their career. If you think the mission can't spare it you are pretending. Quit browsing the jobs site prepp

Peter, Syracuse

2/24/2012 2:20:53 PM ET
I have no qualms dissolving the Thunderbirds as well but that's a different argument. As for Honor Guard and Base Sports...I would never compare the Honor Guard with Tops in Blue. HG performs a sacred duty beyond attending functions for DV's or fancy dinners. Are you saying that if we aren't willing to pay people to sing and dance we shouldn't escort our own to their untimely graves That's ridiculous. On top of that different bases run those programs differently and personnel are still in the area if they are needed.As for Base Sports those athletes can still work a full duty day and play at night. You might as well wage war against all volunteer opportunities if you're going to say Base Sports are a waste. On that tangent volunteer opportunities don't need to be replacing job taskings either.

Airman V, ND

2/20/2012 12:22:53 AM ET
@ZeekIf you can find time to bash TIB you may as well bash the AF honor guard AF Thunderbirds base level sports programs as well as and all AF level team sports. Minus honor guard to a degree these are also wastes of resources and they should go as well. I'm sure if you find a story on thunderbirds there will be 'bashing' on those as well.

Sgt P, Overseas

2/18/2012 12:39:14 PM ET
To all you people saying that TIB funding comes from NAFs and other non taxpayer sources this only applies to some things like equipment some lodging and travel. The salaries which for 35 people averages about 1.4 million a year still comes from tax payers. It isn't like these people get paid from a separate pot of money. When I was in the AF I was paid to defend the nation and fight wars not showcase non mission critical talents. This is a waste of money.

Chris Kimball, Indiana

2/17/2012 11:53:24 AM ET
Fly Fight Win and Sing and Dance Did I miss something when I signed up 12 years ago I never thought the AF was in the entertainment business. It is very disheartening to know that someone with the same pay grade as me is traveling around the world shaking their tail feathers while I am back here getting the mission done as expected by those who pay me. Can I be on a year tour doing what I enjoy fishing Im sure it will cost a lot less.

JM, CO

2/16/2012 8:34:27 PM ET
The Tops in Blue program is probably one of the most important units in the Air Force if not in the DOD. Congrats to these 35 warriors for taking up this cause. The training for TIB is strenuous, but it is rewarding when you deploy with the Air Force's premier expeditionary entertainment unit and win those hearts and minds. Weapons and Airplanes are overrated. Singing and dancing is what wins wars. IMHO

Greedo, AFEF

2/16/2012 2:04:45 PM ET
CJ: I don't see any of our fellow airmen getting any venomous comments. The program is the target of ire, not the individuals. Don't hate the player, hate the game right? Just cause you have a talent doesn't mean the military needs it. And don't dismiss people's sensitivity here... in an AF where many of us go fill non-descript JET taskings and deploy multiple times, it is reasonable to be annoyed. Go to the site and look at the TIB roster... very few deployment decos in their pics and they get a year off to sing and dance? Come on.

MDB, Colorado

2/16/2012 10:28:45 AM ET
Congrats to all the selectees. I think one thing every person on this comment string can agree on is that there is a real perception problem within the AF...when our very own brothers and sisters in blue leave such venomous comments it should raise a red flag to leadership regardless of whether we agree or not. Folks are angry at the mixed messages and empty promises. I was once told that the mere appearance of impropriety is just as bad as acting improperly. In this case many Airmen obviously feel that TIB is a huge waste of human and financial resources and leadership cannot ignore this. The mixed messages we get from senior leaders insult our intelligence and drain the blue from our blood. You all need to come out from around that desk and talk to your folks. Air Staffers need to get back into the operational AF it's changed a lot since you were out here and you need a wake-up call. We have a serious perception problem but the talented men and women who were selected fo

CJ, San Antonio

2/16/2012 10:18:43 AM ET
Take a simple poll around your workcenters and ask your Airmen who they'd rather see, Tops In Blue or enter favorite artist. TIB or USO tour? They'll tell you USO tour. Tons of AF/other branches personnel at Fort Meade and 3/4s of the theater was EMPTY in 2010. Less shows the past couple years too....hmm I wonder why? The program was relevant 20 years ago, it's time to hang it up. Not to mention the same people are producing the show year after year so it doesn't matter what they're performing because it looks the same and sounds the same. Over cheesed, over sparkly and over tempo. Lastly, the biggest supporters of this program are a select group of prior members and their friends and family. Of course they want you to think they're making a gigantic difference overseas to our deployed folks.

Mike, Ft Meade

2/16/2012 7:56:30 AM ET
Is this really the message our leadership wants to send in the current fiscally constrained environment The idea that perception is everything is regurgitated in both officer and enlisted PME constantly. Why doesn't our leadership understand this And how can any sane person justify this program

SW, Deployed

2/15/2012 6:13:28 PM ET
@Maj staff If this thread were on Facebook I imagine you'd have about 300000 likes right now

David, GA

2/15/2012 3:37:07 PM ET
We need some serious perspective shifts in this AF. Did someone actually call it the hardest job these folks would ever do? And do people really think seeing someone in a blue sequin vest doing jazz hands raises anyone's morale? The bottom line is this does nothing towards Fly, fight and win. can TIB the bands and the outstanding athlete program then take a hard look at the Thunderbirds.

JB, Colorado

2/15/2012 3:07:09 PM ET
Congratulations to everyone listed. Don't let the negative comments left put a damper on what you have accomplished. You should be proud and excited. Writing a negative comment on a story that is highlighting some of our airmen's accomplishments isn't the right way to go about getting your voice heard on whether or not TIB should exisit. Real leaders don't rip apart the accomplishments of others to make a personal point. Again congrats to every one of you.

Staff Sgt. Mickle, Joint Base Charleston SC

2/15/2012 1:41:03 PM ET
Why do individuals spend time bashing this program Tops In Blue is a perfect avenue for members to explore options and share their talents. I am sure 80 percent of the members serving in the AF are not doing exactly what they wanted to do but rather serving in positions that were open at the time they volunteered for service. This is why we have programs like retraining and blue to green to provide options. TIB is no different it provides opportunity for those musically inclined to strengthen their talents. If you can find time to bash TIB you may as well bash the AF honor guard AF Thunderbirds base level sports programs as well as and all AF level team sports. Each of these programs remove Airman from their work centers to serve in an alternate capacity and represent the AF with their hidden skill set. Many members in the AF played H.S or College sports prior to entering and if given the opportunity to play for the AF team you would not hear them saying what a waste of tax

Zeek, Italy

2/15/2012 12:26:05 PM ET
@Elizabeth- the cost of TIB is the cost of each individual who remains on my UMD while dancing around the world. I can't request a replacement for my undermanned shop until heshe returns from their TIB tour and PCSs or separates.

Maj, staff

2/15/2012 6:54:18 AM ET
Any good AF leader will read these comments concerning TIB. I do believe it is a waste of AF dollars, especially when good airmen are facing a pink slip. Someone in a leadership position needs to use this medium and state once and for all how TIB is really needed or better yet how it can be at least temporarily suspended. The people deserve an answer. Are you up to the challenge, leadership?

Interested reader, Thankfully retired

2/14/2012 11:59:05 PM ET
If you think that 35 airmen will turn the tide of battle in today's world then you're ill-equipped to judge modern warfare. The wars of this century will increasingly be fought by technicians in office parks in Arlington, VA, piloting drones under the unsuspecting radar of our hopelessly inferior adversaries. Besides which--Tops in Blues is a 60-year-old outfit. Were you whining during Pres. W. Bush's tenure about his wasteful approach to military spending? Did you rally the streets in the 90s when Tops in Blue were singing and dancing around the world wasting tax payer's money? Did Reagan cut their funding on his march to sainthood? Did you care during Korea that they were entertaining the masses? Spare us your 25 cent chagrin and 10 cent violin for the waste that you've spent the last ten minutes campaigning to overturn. There are worthy causes of waste and corruption to rail against, but commenting on the Internet will get you little more than disdain from your fellow ci

Forth, United States

2/14/2012 7:57:32 PM ET
Somebody entertain me on how Tops in Blue and other bands Air Force wide justify their funding. Must feel great singing and dancing while our Battlefield Airmen are doing whatever it takes to win the battle.

RG, Peterson

2/14/2012 2:08:09 PM ET
Well said Tom... Your dad WILL be proud. NOW to all the naysayers... This is a massively needed pgm to bring a little joy if only for a night to those who are in places where its difficult and or just displaced from the world...LIKE Greenland or Misawa, Japan. Stop it with the negativity and celebrate the young ones who worked so very hard to be selected. GREAT JOB ALL, can't wait to see your show. Be blessed..

Shawty5, NC

2/14/2012 11:55:15 AM ET
While I don't want to take away the excitement that these individuals are probably feeling right now, we have to ask ourselves do we really have the money to support this program. We're not trying to endorse the Air Force for the purpose of gaining recruits anymore. We are trying to kick folks out. What real purpose does TIB really provide anymore? If you want to show your talent, try out for American Idol, X Factor, the Voice or whatever other reality singing competition that's out there. We are a downsized military that needs all hands in to support the Real AF mission.

Adam, Alaska

2/14/2012 9:36:53 AM ET
You want to know why Tops in Blue is still around? They get the majority of their budget from NAF funds and sponsorship. Their APF budget in next to nothing. There is no $24 miliion a year. Critically- and under-manned career fields are not released to tour. Just so you know. Congratulations to the newest selectees. Be ready for the hardest and most rewarding year of your life.

Elizabeth , RAFM

2/14/2012 9:11:54 AM ET
Congrats to all 35 of you. You've volunteered yourselves to be part of the problem. Enjoy TIB while a quarter of your friends get kicked out of the AF so your road trip could be funded this year. I'm sure they will appreciate you for it.

Chris, VA

2/14/2012 8:22:38 AM ET
Thanks to TiB for propogating the 'Do More With Less' motto of the 21st century Air Force by taking people away from their career-field that they're supposed to be mastering, mission that they're supposed to accomplishing, and workcenter that they're supposed to be supporting. My only hope is that the latest members of TiB are dead weight anyways and that their absence will actually make life easier by getting them out of way of the valuable members of their workcenters who'll continue doing their actual mission.

RO, MD

2/14/2012 6:50:37 AM ET
It is going to be a long road ahead and an amazing adventure..Take every minute with purpose and be prepared to be changed....Good luck TIB 2012...Hope to see you at WWTC next year.Lindsey

Lindsey, RAFL

2/14/2012 12:02:18 AM ET
35 Airmen leaving their work places forcing the workload on others while they go sing and dance around the world wasting tax payer's money. FWA at its finest ladies and gentlemen.

CJ, SC

2/13/2012 11:06:26 PM ET
Tops in BluesGovernment Waste. You are taking Airmen out of their primary jobs that they entered the AF to do and having them act as entertainers for shows that have half the seats empty and involve a lot of base support not factored into the funding.

Lt W, CA

2/13/2012 5:47:53 PM ET
Tops in Blue cost the AF and our tax dollars around 24 Million a year yes 24 Million and that does not take into account the manpower taken out of hide from the units where these folks are selected. Is it really worth that cost to see a bad version of American Idol. How many Bands does the military and the AF really need to have I thought we were cost cutting. But please thank you for raising my Retired Tricare cost.TIP is past its need and just not worth the cost.

James, Florida

2/13/2012 4:35:21 PM ET
So budget cuts, huh?

Confused, Ga

2/13/2012 3:34:20 PM ET
I have to agree with Barney CGO's and SNCO's have a responsibility to lead in direct execution of the mission of the AF to Fly Fight and Win. While TIB may provide a legitimate outreach serving the morale of the Airmen and the image of the Air Force to the civilian community given the current fiscal situation which has caused so many cuts to be implemented and still more weighed it is prudent to critically consider the practical benefit to both the Air Force and the nation to continue budgeting for these types of programs in terms of both money and manpower when we are faced with having to cut Airmen in heavily taxed career fields such as SF. To be frank funding programs such as TIB is like upgrading your cable service when you can't even afford to pay your utility bills.

David, GA

2/13/2012 2:49:26 PM ET
@Barney You say no CGO's or SNCO's and out of the 35 Only 3 repeat Three fit that category And Why not being the Leader means Lead by Example and if they Exceed the Standard let them Show off their Talents. This also goes for the Young I mean The A1C's and LT's Let them show the World we have talented Folks who want to serve this Great country. To the Next TIB congratulation on making the Cut Hope to See your Outstanding Show.

Master P, Maryland

2/13/2012 2:06:28 PM ET
Total government saving equals.... Hmmm...

ddub, TX

2/13/2012 12:31:17 PM ET
Uh oh here we go... let the floodgates open to comments. Congrats to all selectees irrespective of the argument whether TIB should still exist. I see many A1Cs and Lts here... with not much actual field experience in their jobs before they do TIB. Also have a problem with CGOs and SNCOs participating at all. They are leaders first not entertainers.

Barney, Box Elder SD

2/13/2012 12:12:28 PM ET
Congrats I am Tom Edwards' aka chief son. I know you will make my Dad and the Air Force proud. It will be a long Haul and hard work but will worth it in the end.

Thomas Edwards, Texas

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