AARON TIPPIN SPENDS THANKSGIVING WITH TROOPS AGAIN IN AFGHANISTAN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25^TH – NATHAN SMITH FOB WARHORSE AND FOB WALTON:
Bed at 1 am and up at 5 am. Really wanted to go work out last night but they wouldn’t let us walk around the compound unaccompanied and there was no one around at midnight when I wanted to go.
Bags are out at 6:30 am, breakfast at 7 and chopper out of here at 8!It’s a pretty aggressive itinerary from here on out. Got an email last night from the Mom of a young Private who is at one of the really remote sites we will be visiting this trip. Evidently a poster went up announcing the appearance of a “country music artist” and someone told them they think it might be Aaron. The little FOB is excited beyond belief. We got his name and Aaron’s going to make sure he talks to him and I’ll give him a big hug from Mom. This Unit has lost 5 and had 34 wounded by IED’s. Can you even imagine a mother’s worry about her son in that situation? I don’t want to think about it.
Probably going to have a lot less time to type road reports from here on out! I just found out that a girl I was talking to in the shower room last night is the actress who was on Reba – the “daughter” who got pregnant on the show. Her hair is red now instead of blonde. She is married to Nick Switzer of the Yankees. They are spending their “honeymoon” in Afghanistan with the Under Secretary of the Army. She was so sweet!
It was a crazy busy, fun, exciting, very fulfilling day. Choppers left at 8:30 am for a 10 minute fight to Nathan Smith Task Force Warhorse.Everyone was so excited to see us. We had a briefing (which was not “brief” J — never is with the military) and then walked around the base and shook hands and took photos for a couple of hours. Then it was a 2 minute chopper ride to FOB Walton where we had another “not so brief” briefing. I found out that this is 4ID from Colorado Springs at both these FOB’s and that’s where my friends General Anderson and Colonel McGregor are located. We took a couple of very special photos to share with them.
Walked around this FOB and met people, plus Aaron rode on a commercial helicopter with the contractors, in an MRAP with a gun that is controlled with a joystick, and got to go to the firing range. It was a busy, very “big boy toys” day for him. He did get to take a very short nap. Then it was time for sound check. Sound check did not go well.Evidently when we left Kuwait, someone with the production company labeled the plugs and packs wrong. It took more than an hour to figure out what was happening. Aaron didn’t have time to eat before the show but he rarely does anyway.
The show was great. Packed house….probably 250 people. At one point, I had to slip him a note to let him know a Medivac Chopper was landing (VERY LOUD) and he might want to stop singing for a few minutes when it did. One of the Afghan Police who are living on base with our troops was injured when someone threw a grenade over the wire. Really hope he will be okay.
There were more people in the autograph line than there were at the show, I swear! We went through over 500 photos at these to FOB’s today. I’m now having to limit each person to 1 photo or we will run out since I only have 1600 left and 7 more stops! Evidently a couple of the last FOB’s are tiny – only 200 people so that will help.
Did I mention that lodging is one tent – front for boys, back for girls.AND I was able to pay for wireless and get on the internet. Surreal to be sitting in a tent working on wireless internet.
Going to go take my shower now and then hit the bed for a 5 am wakeup call!
Jude

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26^TH – FOB SHOJA, FOB ZANGABAD AND FOB MASUM GHAR:
I got up at 5 am and by the time I dressed and got back to the tent, the guys were up. I was supposed to wake Aaron up at 6 am, but he was already up and dressed.
We had breakfast and THIS DFAC had grits and omelets! Much better. J Took a flight to FOB Shoja and boy was it remote. The troops there had not had any entertainment. Most of them were from Fairbanks, Alaska. The whole camp was that really fine “talcum powder” (moon dust) dirt. They had to pull a trailer up in the middle of an area for our stage and run power from a generator. While the guys were setting up for the show, Aaron walked around and signed autographs and took photos with everyone. They are just moving into this location and only had about 40 “permanent “ guys and girls there. But for the show, they came in from other locations. We gave out almost 300 autograph sheets.
It started raining during sound check and the stage wasn’t covered. There was a “tent” back behind the stage. They started bringing in this forklift filled with tires for an MRAP which are HUGE and HEAVY. It took half a dozen soldiers to get them off the fork lift and in “place”. They stacked the tires 5 high at the four corners of the stage. Then, they had Afghan workers pick up the tent from the backstage and walk forward with it. Aaron and I KNEW they would never be able to lift it up over the stage to cover it. And, the tires that they were going to place them on had big holes in the middle, so nothing for them to stand on. They also forgot that the tent was so long, it had poles in the middle for support and obviously no plan was in place for that! They finally figured out it wasn’t going to work and just left it sitting on one side of the stage. J
The base Commander was great and couldn’t express his gratitude. He seemed surprised that we would even consider performing in such a remote location that is basically right in the “middle of the fight”. We had great briefings and they told us this is the “home of the Taliban”– this region. We’ve lost a lot of guys and have a lot so amputees because of the iED’s in this region.
The show was great. Exactly the troops we wanted to reach out to and try to boost their morale. Over and over we kept hearing “complacency kills” and our visit certainly gave them something to look forward to and a change from their every day duties.
The show started at 11 am and after the show and autograph session, we had lunch with them at their DFAC. Then it was helicopters to FOB Zangabar. We learned that until a couple of days ago, we still had not been cleared to go there. Our safety was a concern and they never take chances with that. We flew over NOTHING for 15 minutes except for vineyards of grapes! Now that was a surprise. Once we landed, we got another great briefing. Evidently, this area has NO electricity or running water. The locals have started working with the U.S. and Afghan soldiers and things are much better. They showed us where they were winning the fight and how far they had pushed the Taliban back. One of the stories that he told that really stuck with me was about a family living in an area where they are trying to extend the highway. The Taliban came in and planted 4 IED’s in the family’s home. There was the father, mother and two children living there and they had to live in the home knowing that if they stepped on one of the pressure plates, it would explode. When the Afghan soldiers and our troops came in, the man told them where the IED’s were planted so that no one would be injured when they came through. Our troops feel like we are making significant progress in this area and they by the time the troop withdrawal is complete, the Afghans will be ready to take full control.
The show at Zangabad was great. We found the young soldier – PFC William Schwartz – whose Mom had emailed us. I gave him a big hug and kiss and Aaron and I both took a photo with him that I will email to his Mom when I am back in “civilization”! At both shows today, we had Afghan soldiers attend. They all wanted an autographed photo and a photo taken with Aaron.
We had dinner at their DFAC and then went over to the Conference Room where we were each given a nice certificate and a knife. (Yes, I warned everyone to PACK in their checked bags!).Then we got the call that our helicopters were coming in at 7:36 pm instead of 8 pm. So we had to rush to the landing zone. We took Chinooks tonight (the rest of the flights have been on Blackhawks). Packed it full of our gear and luggage and passengers for about a 7 minute flight to Masum Ghar. When the choppers landed, we were warned to face the wall so we would not be hit in the face with flying rocks. Well, the wind blew my purse and show bag off the road case where I had laid it and I had to hunt around in total darkness to find it. It also blew my camera off the purse where I had it strapped! Masum Ghar was ready for us but said we actually took the wrong helicopters! Ours were still picking us up at 8:30 pm!
We met a few people as soon as we came in and then were going to lodging. But they had separated Aaron from me and put me with the rest of the group. Not acceptable. But, he had two sets of bunk beds in his room, so one of the military security personnel we had with us stayed in the room with us.
Our hosts gave Aaron and I a great tour of the base and we visited the TOC. I feel so guilty for accepting their hospitality and not performing for them. But they assured us that the two FOBs we visited today are their guys and girls and they needed the entertainment much more.
Went back to the room and there is a wireless router in the room that uses the same internet that I purchased at the last camp. Of course, when I turned on my computer, it would not pick it up! Alex hooked his up and let me check my email. Fortunately, it’s still the weekend in the States, so only a few to answer.
I worked for a few minutes while Aaron showered and then I went over to shower….only one shower “building” but the door locks. J When I came back both he and Alex were asleep and it was cold in the room. I didn’t want to wake them and couldn’t find the remote to turn on the heater. It was so cold, I couldn’t go to sleep. I got up and put on every piece of clothing I could find….2 pair of socks, fleece jacket, gloves, neck warmer…and I was still freezing. Add to the fact that the springs on the mattress stick through and you can imagine how little sleep I got.Aaron finally woke up at 3:30 and I told him I was freezing. He admitted he was too (guy thing!). We’re so redneck, we couldn’t figure out how to work the remote so we had to wake Alex up to do it. I think it finally warmed up at around 4:15 am but I had to get up at 5 am. I am going to be useless all day!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27^TH – MASUM GHAR TO SPIN BOLDAK:
Got up at 5 am after NO sleep and got dressed. Our host had a coffee maker in his office, so at least I was able to get caffeine in me quickly. Internet worked for about 2 minutes, too. J
Aaron and Alex kept talking about how cold they were last night but neither one of them was going to say anything. It’s a guy thing…the female has to admit she’s cold first! I don’t think any of us got any sleep because our teeth were chattering. Aaron said he and Alex kept sending Morse Code with their teeth saying “Don’t give in and admit you’re cold. Wait for Jude to say something!”. J
We had breakfast and then it was a Chinook ride to Spin Boldak. Aaron got to sit in the “jump seat” for the half hour flight. With all our equipment in the aisle in front of us, wasn’t a very comfortable flight. And Chinooks are very cold because they also have to fly with the windows open, too. Spin Boldak is much larger than the other camps we’ve visited but still extremely “remote” and the troops here have not had any entertainment. They were very happy to see us.Aaron, Alex and I are in the DV area and the rest of the group is in a tent. I took Aaron’s “single” room and he and Alex are sharing. The nearest latrine is about a quarter of a mile away and the shower is even further than that. Alex is just going to “clear” the male shower for me so I can take a shower there tonight.
We spent the morning and afternoon visiting different TOCs and offices. Then we had a K-9 demonstration that was awesome. They tried to get Aaron to “suit up” but he was not interested. But, he sure enjoyed seeing the demonstration. He had a few minutes of “down time” (translates as short nap) before we had to go to Headquarters for an AFN interview. I got some emails answered because there is wired internet service for a fee in my “chu”. Yippee!
We rode over to do the interviews and during the first one he kept asking me for information because the person doing the interview was asking where we had been, where we were going.Big mistake to ever ask the artist that. That’s why they have “handlers”! J So, when they got to the video portion of the interview, I stepped outside. A door opened behind me and some Afghans stepped out and then a LTC behind them. The Colonel traveling with our group introduced himself and told him we were there with Aaron. Then he introduced me and the LTC said, “Jude? Jude Seale from Nashville?” Turns out he was the second Aide that I met to General Odierno and a sweetheart. I lost touch with him after he left General O. I don’t know who was more surprised and delighted….me or him! He stayed and talked to me and said hello to Aaron. The last time he saw Aaron was when we were at the Palace meeting with General O in Baghdad. He wanted us to come down to his Headquarters to meet the War Lord for the Afghans in this area that he works with. Aaron had to do a sound check but I promised him we would come down if time permitted.
Aaron did a really quick sound check and we rode over to LTC Jones office. The War Lord wasn’t there but we got to talk to the LTC for a few minutes. He walked over to the DFAC with us and had dinner. Then since we had some time left, he asked us to participate in a “Golden Spurs” ceremony. He is the Commander of the 2-38 Cavalry here at Spin Boldak. Their mission is to hunt down the bad guys who are putting out the IEDs and other weapons that are killing and injuring our troops. One of his men has been instrumental in accomplishing that and he wanted to reward him with a presentation of Golden Spur. The poor guy had to put his feet up on the table behind him and do push-ups while they strapped on the spurs! But it was pretty awesome to watch. J
We went into his office and he told us about what they are doing in this area. I also asked him about the attacks on the Pakistan bases this week. Where we are located, the Pakistan border is 8 kilometers from us….you can SEE the lights of Pakistan at night! I know you’re seeing and hearing a lot on the news about this. I would believe and trust our military before I would anything that I hear on the news. According to sources here, our troops and the Afghan soldiers were attacked by the Taliban crossing over the border from Pakistan into Afghanistan then running back across the border to “hide” in the Camps in Pakistan. Our Apache choppers witnessed the attack on our side and followed the bad guys back into Pakistan and killed them even though there were in Pakistan compounds. The border that we can see from here is the second largest supply route for us and now Pakistan has closed all the borders and our supplies can’t get through. Talk about a little “tension” here!
While we were finishing up our briefing, the Afghan War Lord and his entourage came in so we got to meet him after all. He was very gracious – through his interpreter since he doesn’t speak any English. Aaron and I took photos with him and gave him autographed photos and cds. He told the LTC that he wanted to come to the performance. He was very distressed that he did not know we would be here so he could have invited us to his home for a meal and given us gifts. He is the most powerful Afghan in this particular area and he has 3 wives!
The show was awesome. It was inside which was nice because it gets very cold here. LTC Jones and the Afghan War Lord did attend the concert and afterwards, LTC Jones presented me and Aaron with plaques and golden spurs. Aaron – even though he has an injured shoulder and been forbidden to exercise – got down and did push ups while they strapped his on. I just looked at the audience and announced that there was no way I was putting my “butt” up in the air for them! J What a wonderful, special gift for us, especially knowing “how” the other soldiers have earned theirs. We are definitely not worthy of such an honor.
The War Lord also got on stage and spoke to everyone and thanked us for our partnership and gave Aaron a beautiful flag. Aaron signed autographs for about an hour and the guys who handle the remotely piloted vehicles gave him an autographed propeller! Not sure how we’ll get that home…
We were back at lodging at around 10:30 pm. I got Aaron hooked up on the internet and then our security escort blocked the men’s shower so I could use it. The ladies is about a mile away from my chu! Let me tell you, the men’s shower is definitely not as clean as the ladies, but it sure beat walking that far in the cold and dark!
I’ve been working for about an hour now and it’s after midnight, so time to hike to the toilet and then get some sleep!

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28^TH – FOB SPIN BOLDAK TO FOB PASAB:
Almost got 4 hours of sleep but needed to go to the bathroom and didn’t want to “hike” that far to the bathroom so kept waiting for the alarm to go off. Then I heard the pouring rain! No umbrella, of course. Had to bundle up and “run” over the big rocks to the latrine.
Had my heating coil and cup they gave me at the first stop, so I was able to make some coffee. They picked us up at 7:15 am and we had breakfast before departing to the airfield.LTC Jones came by to see us off.
Had an interesting departure from Spin Boldak to Pasab. We took ground fire immediately after launching in our Chinook. I was sitting about in the center of the Chinook. Right after take off,we took small arms fire. Our excellent flight crew saw it immediately and took evasive tactics.Our gunner in the back was thrown backwards and rolled down the ramp which left his gun just “swinging around”. Obviously he wasn’t able to get off any shots at the people on the ground firing at us. Ricky (our sound tech) was sitting across from our gear was almost crushed by one of the heavy road cases that broke the strap and rolled towards him. It did hit him on the knee but a soldier sitting next to him was able to help stop anything else from hitting him. Aaron was sitting in the jump seat with the pilots and actually saw the shots being fired at us. He said the other Chinook was able to pin point the source of the attack and fire on them. They were also able to call in their coordinates so hopefully our ground guys caught them so it won’t happen to someone else. When it first happened, our group didn’t know if it was really an attack or if the crew was just showing Aaron some maneuvers. I could look at faces and know, it was very serious.
But, not the first time this has happened. In Iraq, I’ve taken small arms fire in a black hawk with Aaron, small arms fire that actually hit the Chinook over Baghdad one night with Charlie Daniels, missiles launched at our C130 twice — once with Aaron and once with my NYE Comedy Tour, and an RGP that exploded right outside our Blackhawk when I was with D. B. Sweeney!I’ve also always known that we are in the best possible hands and the military will take care of us.
Landed on time at Pasab and had a nice welcoming committee. We had about one hour to relax (translates as answer emails) before starting our base tour, lunch and round of “meet and greets”. Walked around and met a lot of the troops working on the base, had lunch and then did a short meet and greet by the stage. We then visited the medical facilities and had about an hour for Aaron to rest (nap).
Show time is at 5 pm with autographs afterwards and then dinner before we depart to Kandahar. It was the PERFECT final show in Afghanistan. The boys and girls of the 10^thMountain Division from Ft. Drum, New York were our audience. And boy were they ever happy to see us. Very sad that it is the last show but more determined than ever to come back with more entertainment SOON.
We visited the mechanics, welders, carpenters earlier today and they showed us the cool things they are able to make with a plasma cutter. They are making artificial limbs for the Afghan war casualties! One man walked 20 miles carrying his 9 year old son who had stepped on an IED plate and lost both his legs to this Camp to get “legs” for him. Just breaks your heart to hear the stories about the children being injured. And the Taliban is recruiting and training the kids to set the IEDs because they know our troops would not dare harm a child. During our visit to that area, they took Aaron’s “signature” and etched it into a piece of aluminum. Then they turned that into the base for a metal “sculpture” with their emblems. Pretty cool gift!
A soldier came up to the after the show and said he heard Aaron wanted a set of their shirt and pants. Afghanistan has an entirely different “pattern” on theirs – can’t remember what they are calling these. I think the last ones in Iraq were BDU’s. Anyway, he went to his hooch to get a pair and when he came back, he had accidentally brought two shirts. So he went back to get a pair of pants but returned with two pair of pants and gave me one of the sets! I showed Aaron my set when he finished signing autographs and let him think I got a pair and he didn’t for about 30 seconds. Then I caved in and gave him his set. J
We had dinner at their small DFAC and talked with a lot of the troops. They have all been there about 9 months and will get to go home in 3 more. Then it was time to go to our lodging, pack up, and depart for Kandahar Air Field. I was told it would be a freezing cold 30 minute ride so I put on my under armor and my new “uniform” , my fleece jacket, neck warmer, and gloves.Once we got on the chopper and took off, they turned on a heater underneath the seat and I was actually sweating (we haven’t had heat on any of the other Chinooks or even the blackhawks.). AND it was a 15 minute flight.
Went back into the same rooms we had when we came through Kandahar. Everyone here is really disappointed that they won’t be seeing Aaron perform. But the “schedulers” felt it was more important for us to get to the outlying areas where the troops really needed the morale boost and I’m so glad they set our schedule that way. I was standing at the show this evening looking at the ear-to-ear smiles on the faces of our audience and saying a silent prayer to please let them all come home safely. The casualties take on a very personal meaning after you’ve been to the area and shook the hands of the finest men and women America ever brought forth. We learned that Zagabar was “lit up” (as the troops put it) the same night we departed there – meaning they took a rocket attack. Fortunately, there were no casualties there.
I’ve known Heather our MWR escort for more than a decade but never toured with her. She was always in a desk job. She did an excellent job of planning our tour and escorting the group.Really not sure how the tour would have turned out without her involvement. Unfortunately, the area is losing her in January to a position in the states. I’m determined to get more entertainment to the area, so hopefully they will have someone good replace her. That is, if they can “lift” the 6 person 600 pound rule. Colonel Crate who also accompanied us says he will do his best to get that rule revoked. It was great that he came on our tour and saw first hand what our visit meant to the troops. It’s still embarrassing for them to come up to us and thank us. We’re with them for a “day” and not suiting up, going outside the wire, and risking our lives whereas that is a daily occurrence for them.
Aaron was really happy with the sites we visited as well and wants to return, of course! I can always count on him to spend his Thanksgiving with the troops deployed.
J