A Tour in Tuzla

A Tour in Tuzla

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Tuzla AB is in Northeastern Bosnia, about 2-hours driving time north of Sarajevo.

As you may remember from the last update of this site, I wrote an article for the base paper here, the Tuzla Times, about a recent visit to the Simin Han Refugee Center. Well, the article took off and within a week the story was picked up by the 16th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs people and posted to the Wing web site. About three days after that, we were contacted by Air Force Public Affairs, asking for quotes to add to the article for posting on the Air Force web site. With help from my Public Affairs office mate, SSgt Shanda De Anda, we provided quotes and the article was posted by the "big guys". For those that may have missed my article, and for those that did but would like to see the latest rendition with quotes, follow this link: Visit to refugee center brings children joy

Our big news here since the last edition of this site was a visit from Tops in Blue, the Air Force's premier entertainment team. About four days before their arrival, we received word from the folks on the Army side of the installation (who were responsible for hosting their visit) that they hadn't done a thing to prepare for the arrival of these folks...

So, with less than 96 hours notice, our Group here started building a stage, making billeting arrangements, etc in preparation for their arrival. Chief Agnew, Senior Enlisted Advisor and First Sergeant for the group was throwing together volunteers from our ranks to ensure that all was taken care of. Two days before their arrival, at about 1500L, things took a strange turn. We received a call at the base here from the C-130s that were responsible for airlift support for Tops in Blue. They were in the air heading to Camp Bonsteel, Kosovo, and unable to land there due to weather... and they were coming here instead... two days early!

After a two hour whirlwind of activity here trying to get billeting ready and accelerate the stage preparations for their visit, the Tops in Blue team arrived. Tired from their recent trip from Turkey, the team slept the first night, and with help from volunteers here, they set about setting up their stage for the show the next day.

All of the preparation and hard worked payed off as we were treated to a phenomenal show of singing, dancing and music. Again, we helped them tear down their stage, pack it onto pallets for their next stop. We finally finished at 0200 and were treated to a special impromptu show from the grateful members of the Tops in Blue team. If you ever have the chance, take the time to see these truly talented folks. It was great!
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We are always searching for donations for the Simin Han Refugee Center. If you can help, please contact me via email or call me DSN 314-762-8006

The 401st Expeditionary Air Base Group is responsible for airfield operations in support of
Mult-iNational Division North (MND-N)

Tops in Blue stopped in to bring us some music, dance, and magic. This was a truly phenomenal show that lasted a full two hours, non-stop. Perhaps most impressive is that these folks don't just sing and dance, but they all assist in putting up the stage, tearing down the stage, and building the pallets.