KABUL, Afghanistan - The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and USO-sponsored celebrities visited members of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command at North Kabul International Airport military compound, Dec. 14.
U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen accompanied singer Billy Ray Cyrus, tennis star Anna Kournikova, comedian Dave Attell and legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri on the first stop in Afghanistan as part of a 13-show tour.
"It is great for us to be here in Kabul," said Mullen. "We are so appreciative of what you do and the difference you make."
"It was good for the troops to have the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff come down here," said Army Staff Sgt. Christian Price, enlisted aide to the IJC commander.
"It really meant a lot."
"It is a pleasant, unexpected surprise," agreed Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Dreyfus, Electronic Warfare Coordination Cell. "It reemphasizes just how important this [mission] is to us ... a unified effort to help Afghanistan."
After the chairman spoke, he introduced each of his guests, who then addressed the waiting crowd. Mr. Bollettieri thanked the troops for their service, and the USO and Admiral Mullen for sponsoring the tour.
"It is an honor to be here," said Cyrus. "Thank you for bringing us over here to meet these heroes.
"There is nothing better than doing shows for you guys," commented Attell, who has been a part of five USO shows.
"I am extremely proud and privileged to be here," added Ms. Kournikova. "Thank you so much to you and your family for all you do."
The troops appreciated the time the stars gave to visit them in Afghanistan.
"It is excellent morale for the troops. [They] should come back again. This is what it is all about," said Sergeant Price from Savannah, Ga.
"They are very approachable and nice; it's rare to have the opportunity to be in an intimate, personal, and one-on-one situation with stars," said Army Maj. Larry Bonds Jr. of Memphis, Tenn. "I want to personally thank them for what they are doing for the troops."