USO tour brings comedians to Bagram Airfield

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Brian Stives
  • American Forces Network Afghanistan
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Comedians Tom Arnold and Dax Shepard along with actress Nora Zehetner praised the efforts of U.S. and coalition service members as they met with more than 200 coalition force members during their recent visit to Bagram Airfield.

Performing at the airfield's morale, welfare and recreation clamshell, Mr. Arnold and Mr. Shepard performed a stand-up comedy routine during the visit, and the trio later met with service members to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

"It was great to be able to get off work and go see a comedy show," said Senior Airman Joseph Hernandez, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, currently deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. "This is my first deployment, and to see these guys out here to show their support for us is a great morale booster."

While some troops were timid about seeing stars up close, one Army sergeant wanted to get face-to-face with them.

"I just went up there and told Tom Arnold I wanted to 'tap him out,' " said Army Sgt. Jessica Shaffer from the 82nd Airborne Division's special troops battalion currently deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., regarding the wrestling match she had with him on stage. "I had him tapped out, and then he rolled over and I was gone. He is kind of a big boy."

Even though the comedians were the stars of the evening, they admitted they didn't feel like it.

"Everyone keeps coming up to us and saying, 'thank you,' " Mr. Arnold said. "But, we are the ones who are thankful. Without you doing what you do every day, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. I think we should be the ones thanking you, not the other way around. You guys are the ones out there helping this country rebuild itself. You are the heroes in my eyes."

"I thought we were heading to the beach when Tom picked me up," said Mr. Shepard as he joked about how he joined the tour visiting the base. "We just wanted to come out here and help everyone relax. We wanted to say that we know what you are doing and we really appreciate it."

Helping everyone take their minds off what was going on is exactly what they did.

"They made jokes about the food at the dining facility and how close the bathrooms were to where they were staying. It was all something we could relate to; it was great," said Airman Hernandez.

"It was really fun and I think we need more stuff like this," said Sergeant Shaffer.

This tour continues the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment tradition of bringing celebrities to troops stationed far from home. Other entertainers and musical groups on recent USO tours include Five For Fighting, Gary Sinise, Jo Dee Messina, Wilmer Valderrama, Darryl Worley, Drowning Pool, David Alan Grier and Shinedown.