Tops in Blues experience hits a high 'note' with Airman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Boutte
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The thunderous sound of a beating drum and the breathtaking vocals of Air Force men and women make an appearance during performances from the Tops in Blue entertainment group.

Senior Airman Jonathan Velasquez, 509th Security Forces Squadron law enforcement patrolman, recently returned home from a year-long tour with the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase team.

The Air Force Global Strike Command Airman did not fall short of Tops in Blue talent where he played the drums and was a keyboardist during the 2010 tour.

"I've been playing the keyboard for more than five years," said Airman Velasquez. "The drums though, I have been playing for longer, about 12 years."

The team is an all-active duty U.S. Air Force special unit made up of 32 talented performers selected for their entertainment ability.

Airmen from all over the world sent in DVDs of their talent as part of the audition process. Thousands of Airmen applied for various positions and of those, approximately 120 individuals were chosen for the world-wide competition.

"The competition had an American Idol type of atmosphere," Airman Velasquez said. "We performed in front of judges and crowds and went through a series of interviews."

Within a month, the Tops in Blue board notified Airman Velasquez that he was selected to represent the U.S. Air Force, as one of the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind.

"I love music and it was the greatest opportunity," Airman Velasquez said. "I wanted to travel the world and the Airmen overseas and deployed need that support, inspiration and motivation. I am glad our team was able to do that through our music and talent."

The Tops in Blue are not just musicians and singers, but also their own stage crew. Before the show, the ensemble assembles the stage, sound and lighting checks and after the show, they tear down the stage.

"We put in a lot of work for one show," Airman Velasquez said. "The hardest part of being in Tops in Blue was the long, stressful days, but being part of security forces long days, made it easy for me to cope."

By far the best experience Airman Velasquez had was performing "America the Beautiful" during festivities leading up to the Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas Feb. 6.

"It was fun, different and exciting," Airman Velasquez said. "I definitely had a blast."
While Airman Velasquez said he misses his many friendships he established in such a short year, he keeps in contact with them, but said the difference is not seeing them every day.

"Being part of Tops in Blue was such a wonderful experience," Airman Velasquez said. "I am glad I had the opportunity to see the world and inspire other Airmen to be part of the big picture."