Air Force Week Atlanta

Tops in Blue Airmen serenade seven-year-old Hayley Godfrey of Acworth, Ga., during an Air Force musical tribute Oct. 9 in Mableton, Ga. Hayley is the daughter of Chief Master Sgt. Dallas Godfrey stationed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Tops In Blue was in Georgia as part of Air Force Week Atlanta honoring 60 years of Air Force history. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Tops in Atlanta

Senior Airman April Vollm and Tech. Sgt. Keith Martin of Tops in Blue sing and dance for the audience at Starr's Mill High School in Fayetteville, Ga. Oct. 7. As the expeditionary entertainment showcase of the Air Force, Tops in Blue gave the special performance as part of Air Force Week Atlanta. The event, which runs Oct. 8-12, is designed to inform the American public, civic leaders and service members about the Air Force's mission, 60-year heritage, capabilities and role in the Global War on Terror. Atlanta was chosen as one of six locations to host the week throughout the country this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)

Tops in Blue perform "Flyby" during AF Week Atlanta

Published Oct. 15, 2007
By Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia
Public Affairs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- The Air Force expeditionary entertainment showcase Tops in Blue brought its unique brand of dynamic, high-energy singing and dancing to the Atlanta area as part of Air Force Week Oct. 8-12.

Tops in Blue is one of the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind. Comprised of approximately 35 active-duty Airmen, the group's main purpose is to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world.

Audiences at Starr's Mill High School in Fayetteville on Oct. 7 and the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton, Ga., on Oct. 9 were treated to Tops in Blue's show, "The Flyby," a musical tribute to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Air Force as an independent service.

The group kept audiences singing, clapping and dancing with an action-packed show featuring a live band and dazzling vocalists.

"I enjoyed the show," said Jason Gonzales, an Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga. "I thought it was awesome," he said. Gonzales attended the performance at Starr's Mill with eight other cadets and two aerospace instructors from his school.

The performance took audiences on a musical journey from 1947 to the present and included popular songs from each decade such as the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," Chubby Checkers' "The Twist," Johnny Cash's "Fulsom Prison Blues," the Trampps' "Disco Inferno," and Rose Royce's "Car Wash." John Conlee's "They Also Serve" was dedicated to members of the audience who have family serving in the military overseas.

A special Air Force 60th anniversary video accompanied the performance, depicting significant events in America's history, highlighting six decades of Air Force heritage and achievements, and calling attention to the Air Force's present actions in the Global War on Terror and continuous command of air, space and cyberspace.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the performance," said Theresa Rule of Fayetteville about the show she saw at Starr's Mill. "I think it's great that the Air Force brought the show here and that the Air Force supports JROTC programs in our schools. It's been a good program for my kids." Ms. Rule's two children, Erica and Dusty Gonzales, participate in the Air Force JROTC program at Sandy Creek High School.

Atlanta is one of six cities throughout the country chosen to host an Air Force Week. Air Force Reserve Command and the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base hosted and supported several events throughout the year in the metro-Atlanta area leading up to Air Force Week.

The theme of the Air Force's year-long anniversary celebration is "Heritage to Horizons."
The intent of the Air Force Week program is to increase awareness and support of Airmen through informing the public and involving them in activities that showcase the service's diverse capabilities and missions, and the accomplishments of Airmen and the Air Force.