Tops in Blue captivates Whiteman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Air Force's premier entertainment ensemble, Tops In Blue, performed a free concert to a packed house of Whiteman Air Force Base community members and local fans at the University of Central Missouri, Aug. 9.

Col. Robert Spalding, the 509th Bomb Wing vice-commander, hosted the event, opening the show by thanking the local sponsors and the Tops In Blue for supporting the Whiteman community with entertainment for the night.

""I thought it was a great way for the AF to show its appreciation to the local community for all of their outstanding support," Spalding said. "In addition, all the Whiteman folks I spoke to loved the show."

Tops In Blue's primary mission is to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. For the past 59 years, these performers have promoted community relations, recruiting and served as ambassadors for the U.S. Air Force as they travel through 20 countries in a 10-month period performing approximately 130 shows.

The group is composed of 35 to 40 of the most talented vocalists, musicians, dancers and technicians in the Air Force. These Airmen, who come from a variety of career fields, always strive to put on a high-energy show. And according to one spectator, they pulled off what they strive for Aug. 9.

"It was a great show!" said Robert Kyser, a civilian employee with the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron and a fan from Whiteman who has been to a decade worth of Tops In Blue performances. "It was the best performance I have seen in the past 10 years! The current music helped make the show really entertaining."

"Awesome!" the retired technical sergeant added.

"The show was phenomenal! The performers displayed high energy for almost two hours," Spalding agreed. "The tribute to Michael Jackson was really good and the "moon walking" made the crowd go wild! The mime act was a hit as well.

"Overall it was a great evening for music and fun," the host added.