The future of Lajes

Master Sgt. Julie Gutierrez, 65th Force Support Squadron, listens as Col. Chris Bargery, 65th Air Base Wing commander, answers a question during an informative briefing to the 65th Air Base Wing here Dec. 14. Department of Defense officials announced the 65th ABW will transition from an air base wing to an air base group with a reduction of more than 400 military personnel and 500 family members by the end of fiscal year 2014. "We will do our best to support and help prepare anyone affected by this transition. We value and recognize the relationships that we have with our local national employees and all Azoreans affected by this change," said Col. Bargery. (Photo by Lucas Silva)

Tops In Blue performs at Lajes

Tops In Blue performed for a crowd of U.S. and Portuguese personnel at Lajes Field, Sept. 9, 2012. Tops In Blue is composed of 35 to 40 vocalists, musicians, dancers and technicians. With the guidance of seven technicians, the team is responsible for setting up over 64,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio, video and special effects equipment before each performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)

Tops In Blue performs at Lajes

Airman 1st Class Timothy Sentz, a client systems apprentice from Scott AFB and Tops In Blue vocalist, performs a selection of country music, Sept. 9, 2012, Lajes Field. The theme for this year's Tops In Blue tour is "Listen", and features rhythm and blues songs from the golden oldies era to the latest in top 40. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)

Tops In Blue performs at Lajes

Airman 1st Class Jonathan Leak, a knowledge operations management apprentice from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and a Tops In Blue vocalist, performs a mime routine to Bruno Mars’ hit song “Grenade”, Sept. 9, 2012, Lajes Field. Tops In Blue has around 35 to 40 active duty Air Force members who perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)

Tops In Blue performs at Lajes

Tops In Blue performed songs in tribute to the late Michael Jackson at Lajes Field, Sept. 9, 2012. The theme for this year's tour is "Listen", and features rhythm and blues songs from the golden oldies era to the latest top 40 songs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)

Tops In Blue performs at Lajes

Tops In Blue performed for a crowd of U.S. and Portuguese personnel at Lajes Field, Sept. 9, 2012. The theme for this year's tour is "Listen", and features rhythm and blues songs from the golden oldies era to the latest top 40 songs. The tour will take them throughout the U.S. and more than 20 countries, with close to 130 performances in a 10-month period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)