Air Force Reserve Command

Story by Phil Rhodes

Operation Seasons' Greetings kicks off in Turkey

By Senior Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino
USAF Reserve Command

More than 450 people traveled to a hangar at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, to kick-off their holiday season by enjoying a star-studded performance, Nov. 21.

The performance was part of "Operation Seasons' Greetings," a holiday season entertainment tour presented by the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command.

Performers during the show included musicians from the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, country music star Jamie O'Neal, Puerto Rican sensation Melina Leon, comedian Dick Hardwick, and six members of the New England Patriots cheerleading squad.

The event filled the hangar with guests, including 26 children from the Incirlik Youth Center, who enjoyed the having a bit of home brought to them. Despite appearing more interested in the souvenir flashlights than the show, once the music began they were among the first on the dance floor.

One of the adult revelers, Staff Sgt. Larry Marsh, a command post controller on the base brought his three-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn to the show. He said: "My daughter really likes music. This is the second time I've brought her to see Jamie O'Neal . . . It was great!"

Other Jamie O'Neal fans included Airman First Class Jillian Havens, a native of Ogdensburg, N.Y., and a medical records technician from the 39th Medical Squadron who, when not dancing in her seat, had this to say: "Jamie O'Neal is my favorite singer. I couldn't wait for this show. I really lucked out." Her friend and colleague from the 39th, Technical Sgt. Crystal Trevino added: "This was a big deal for us. It was great to have them perform here."

Other guests enjoyed the high-energy performance of Puerto Rican singer Melina Leon, who had some of the crowd dancing in the aisles. At one point she even left the stage to join them.

After Wednesday's show in Incirlik, the tour continues to three deployed locations in Southwest Asia, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Control Panel