Comedians at Gaziantep

Sgt. 1st Class Pasquale Marchette, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery NCO in charge of Bravo Company, explains the mission of 3-2 ADA to members of Don Barnhart’s All-Star Comedy team, May 19, 2013, at Gaziantep, Turkey. The comedy troupe consists of Slade Hamm, Jeff Capri, Keith Lyle and its namesake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps/Released)

Comedians at Gaziantep

Jeff Capri, a comedian in Don Barnhart’s All-Star Comedy team, tells a story to U.S. Army soldiers May 19, 2013, at Gaziantep, Turkey. The soldiers are from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment out of Fort Sill, Okla. Don Barnhart’s All-Star Comedy team is touring courtesy of Armed Forces Entertainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps/Released)

Comedians at Gaziantep

Jeff Capri, a comedian in Don Barnhart’s All-Star Comedy team, delivers jokes to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery soldiers May 19, 2013, at Gaziantep, Turkey. Capri is touring various installations courtesy of Armed Forces Entertainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps/Released)

Comedians at Gaziantep

Comedians from Don Barnhart’s All-Star Comedy team sign autographs for U.S. Army soldiers during a meet and greet session at the end of their performance, May 19, 2013, at Gaziantep, Turkey. The soldiers are from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment out of Fort Sill, Okla. They are deployed to Gaziantep as part of the NATO mission to ensure security at the Turkish-Syrian border. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps/Released)

Comedians bring humor to soldiers at Gaziantep

Published May 20, 2013
By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GAZIANTEP, Turkey -- Four comedians took a trip to Gaziantep, Turkey to visit U.S. Army soldiers manning Patriot Batteries to provide a nice distraction during the service members' deployment May 19.

Don Barnhart's All-Star Comedy team, courtesy of Armed Forced Entertainment, consisted of Keith Lyle, Slade Ham, Jeff Capri and its namesake.

After a night of entertainment at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, the 39th Force Support Squadron took the quartet down the road a few hours to bring the laughs to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery regiment from Fort Sill, Okla.

Upon arriving at the site, the comedians received a tour of the Patriot sites and were briefed on the soldiers' mission.

The comedians even got to get up close and personal with the launching stations.

"It's crazy to see the city of Gaziantep just right there," Ham exclaimed.

While touring the Patriot sites, the comedians met some of the soliders who would be unable to attend the show due to mission requirements. Once the installation tour concluded, the All-Star Comedy troupe went down the hill to the theater hall they were to perform in.

"After seeing what these guys do every day and the sacrifices they make, we want to make sure they get a good show," Capri said.

The soldiers filed into the auditorium and, for a few hours, laughs ensued and a respite was had from the dragging days of a deployment as the quartet delivered jokes.

After the show, the soldiers were invited to come on stage for a meet and greet with the comedians.

"I really enjoyed the show," said Spc. Tiffany Taylor, 3-2 ADA soldier. "It was funnier than I thought it would be. Things like this help pass the time. It makes the deployment easier and makes us feel appreciated. "

With each soldier thanked, the comedians packed their things back into the van and headed back to Incirlik AB to stay the night and fly back to the U.S. the following morning.

"It really blows my mind and is really an eye-opener as to what and why these soldiers are doing what they are doing," Ham said. "We really appreciate the troops."