LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Each January, Air Force singers, dancers, musicians and technicians compete for slots in the Tops in Blue by auditioning at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Of the 80 Air Force personnel who competed, 31 were accepted, including two assigned to Langley.
Staff Sgt. Guillermo Gonzalez, 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman and Staff Sgt. Robert Washington earned a spot on the 2009 tour. Sergeant Washington was assigned to Langley from Korea, but reported directly to Lackland to help finish this year's Tops in Blue team.
Tops in Blue has traveled more than four million miles and performed for more than 15 million people since it was created by Maj. Al Reilly in 1953, according to the Tops in Blue Website. Major Reilly knew there were many athletic competitions in the military, but nothing existed for those who had other talents such as comedy, drama and vocals.
Performers such as then Airman Second Class Jerry Van Dyke have performed as part of Tops in Blue. Mr. Van Dyke is most noted for his role as assistant head coach Luther Van Dam on the long running TV series "Coach."
Tops in Blue has performed on the Ed Sullivan Show, Bob Hope birthday specials, and the Super Bowl XIX half-time show among countless other special events.
"Making the team is going to be special," said Sergeant Gonzalez. "I am not sure if I should be happy, nervous or worried because I know it will be a lot of work, but I am looking forward to doing it."
Sergeant Gonzalez will be driving a tour bus as well as working on lighting and audio. Although he has no previous experience with either, he was given a 10-day course on how to do the job. Everyone on the Tops and Blue team helps build and dismantle the set after every show.
"It's an honor to be part of this team," said Sergeant Gonzalez. "I will have a hand in raising moral and entertaining the troops and their families worldwide."
"I think it's a tremendous honor for Sergeant Gonzalez to be representing the maintenance flight and EMS since he is one of our own," said Master Sgt. Keith Crosby 1st EMS inspection section chief. "He will be on the stage for the Air Force."
After completing a training regimen at Lackland, the 2009 squad will begin a 10-month tour performing 120 shows in more than 20 countries.