The obligatory photo:
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Kimberly Linberger signs the words to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" to end the Redskins Cheerleaders performance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan W. Hutchison)
Posted on 03/26/2007 3:22:57 PM PDT by mdittmar
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Deployed life, though full of many new experiences, is not usually something people would envy you for.
The exception to this would be the friends and co-workers of Senior Airman Brandon M. Smith, who was forced to endure two weeks with eight of the most beautiful women to wear Kevlar.
Smith, a 28-year-old from Harrah, Okla., escorted Washington Redskins cheerleaders and their crew to forward operating bases and airfields in Afghanistan from Feb. 20 to March 3.
Deployed from 56th Services Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Brandon landed the job as Morale, Welfare and Recreation event coordinator while deployed to Afghanistan.
"Any event, no matter what it is, gets kicked down to me. I decide where it goes in Afghanistan and I travel with them to all of the FOBs I choose," said Smith.
But even six years in the services field couldn't prepare the Airman for eight cheerleaders.
"I can't even begin to imagine what he thought when he was given the job detail of escorting eight cheerleaders around for 14 days," said Tonya R. Helman, a 28-year old web developer, graphic designer and Redskins cheerleader.
"At first people were telling me that they were going to be high maintenance and to make sure they knew what was going on and where to be," Smith said.
"It was funny when we first met him. He even got his name confused," said Helman. "It was an on-going tease the entire trip."
According to Smith the first surprise was how many of the cheerleaders had been in combat areas before.
"Anytime a civilian is issued [interceptor body armor] and Kevlar, it's definitely not something we're used to, but we only have to be here a couple of weeks." said Kimberly Linberger, Redskins cheerleader captain.
Linberger, a 31-year-old graduate school student and information technology program manager, has been on 11 tours during her eight years with the Redskins.
"We're here to put smiles on the faces of the men and women that put themselves in this situation every day," she said. "So we can't spend that time worried about ourselves."
Linberger said the cheerleaders relied on Smith continually throughout their tour, and he proved to be their most reliable asset.
"Brandon made this tour as easy going as a tour could be and with little heartache," said Helman, "We were always taken care of, and even with the crucial moments that we were in, he always made us feel comfortable. We were always in good hands."
"I've never met a group of women who, despite their beautiful looks, were so intelligent and ambitious. It was totally overwhelming how openly caring they were," said Smith.
Even with their looks and brains, these cheerleaders did not expect royal treatment. Smith said they spent the night on cots, took cold showers or none where not available, and worked with minimal sleep.
"We only have to be here for a couple weeks. With that in mind we can pretty much get through anything. We really are the cheerleaders of the military," Linberger said.
"I am at war, but it still feels good seeing the troops and how happy they are; the cheers, laughing and taking pictures," Smith said. "That is the biggest payoff for me."
"It is rewarding for the guys to know that somebody thought about them and took time out of their lives," Smith said. "So they could bring happiness to somebody else."
Linberger not only feels rewarded by the troops' response to their performance, but feels that it is just a small gesture for the freedom they enjoy.
"We couldn't be happier or more supportive of the men and women who sacrifice so much so that we can have our freedom," Linberger said.
The troops also hold a special place for Helman, whose husband died this year during a Navy training mission.
"He died doing what he loved, and that puts me a little at ease," said Helman, "I know that all the troops out there know that they have the chance of not coming back, but they have a love that is much deeper than fear and that's what keeps them going."
"It is very important to us to support the troops because without them we wouldn't be able to sleep in our beds safe at night and be who we are today," she added.
It was Smith that left the lasting impression on the cheerleaders though.
"Brandon is an impressive Airman. His wittiness and sweet personality always shined through, even on the most tiring days," Linberger said.
Smith and many of the cheerleaders exchanged contact information and all agree to keep in touch.
"Brandon will always be a friend of ours," Linberger said, "We miss him already."
"We will always be grateful and appreciative of the professionalism that was shown by Brandon and would be thrilled to be escorted by him on another tour of Afghanistan," Helman said.
The obligatory photo:
Is there a list of names and pictures? One of the cheerleaders was on the swim team here.
She goes to my gym. Sweet girl.
Hubba hubba!
Good for them for entertaining the troops.
Six years in the service, and he's only a Senior Airman?!? Man, I thought promotions were tight in my day...
Man, I never pulled a duty like that! Lucky guy!
Brittany. Good kid.
Thanks.
Spew!
Why Spew!?
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