Patriots Cheerleaders to visit the 'Lik'

  • Published
  • By Steven French
  • Air Force Reserve Command
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Cheerleaders for the National Football League's New England Patriots will bring holiday cheer to American troops overseas Nov. 20 to Dec. 2. 

Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command here, are sponsoring Operation Season's Greetings. Appearing at USAFE bases and deployed locations, the show will feature six of the cheerleaders. 

"The Patriots Cheerleaders' performance is really exciting with dancing to some great classic rock and roll, country and Top 40 music," said Tracy Sormanti, coach of the squad. "Our show also includes a great deal of audience participation, and is sure to keep everyone laughing and having fun." 

Members of the cheerleading squad have entertained military troops in more than 20 countries since 9/11. 

Sharing the spotlight with the cheerleaders is country music artist Jaime O'Neal, John Popper from Blues Traveler, Radio Talk and Music Show host Delilah. Ms. O'Neal will perform songs from her newest CD "Brave" as well as her pair of No. 1 hits "There is No Arizona," and "When I Think About Angels." 

Blues Traveler's John Popper will go solo and do some of his hits including the Grammy-winning single "Run Around." 

"We are really excited to be the first stop on this tour," said Bill Anderson, 39th Services Squadron acting community support flight chief. "Team Incirlik is more than ready to welcome all the performers here." 

"I would like the audience to know that whether you are a football fan or not, the show is a nice reminder of home," said Stacey McIntyre, a Patriot cheerleader going on her second tour with Air Force bands. "It is our little way of saying thank you." 

Operation Season's Greetings performers will visit Ramstein Air Base and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany; Incirlik AB, Turkey; and deployed locations in Southwest Asia. 

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Reserve bands will perform as the opening act for the shows - playing well-known pop and contemporary favorites. The combined band serves as a reminder of how Air Force reservists partner with the active duty and Air National Guard to create the Total Force. 

"The Operation Season's Greetings tour is exactly what the Air Force prioritizes for Air Force bands," said Dave Ballengee, deputy director of the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB. "We're going to deployed locations for the morale of the troops and their families." 

Known as "Citizen Airmen," Air Force reservists are frontline troops actively engaged in worldwide missions. Air Force Reserve Command has about 75,000 reservists on full and part-time duty in every job specialty, contributing to virtually every Air Force mission. 

The show here will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 in Hanger 4. All base personnel are encouraged to come. It will be considered an alternate duty location. Immediately following the show their will be an autograph signing in the hanger.