News

2006 Tops in Blue team set to take stage at Warner Robins Civic Center stage

  • Published
  • By Holly L. Birchfield
  • 78th ABW/PA
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With Valentine's Day on the heels of the 2006 Tops in Blue team's upcoming performance, the singing and dancing group is asking "What's Love?"

The heart-felt question is the theme of the team's Tuesday performance at the Warner Robins Civic Center.

Lynne Brackett, Smith Community Center director and project officer for the team's upcoming show, said the 32-member team, made up of active-duty and Air Force Reserve members, is exceptional.

"The show is phenomenal," she said. "It's extraordinarily professional. It lasts about an hour and a half. They sing. They dance. They entertain. The lights, the costumes, it's just spectacular. If it's not sequined, it's not Tops in Blue."

According to Mrs. Brackett, two members of the 2006 team got their start at Robins. Senior Airman Danny Griner, an entry controller with the 78th Security Forces Squadron, is a vocalist for Tops in Blue. Senior Airman Michael Manfredonia, a tactical systems technician with the 78th Communications Squadron, is the audio director for the 2006 Tops in Blue tour.

Mrs. Brackett said the road to Tops in Blue begins at community centers Air Force-wide, where Airmen display their many talents, whether its singing, dancing or technical support. Tops in Blue hopefuls then compete for a spot on the world-famous talent team at World-wide Talent, a 10-day Air Force-wide talent competition, where dreams of making the group are realized.

The Warner Robins stop is near the end of the group's tour, which kicked off in May 2006 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The 2006 team will move on to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. after their Middle Georgia visit. The tour ends with a stop at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas Feb. 23.

But before they go, Mrs. Brackett said they'll leave a lasting impression with their audience here. Show-goers can expect to get an up-close and personal feel for the show, when male and female performers take to the crowd with their acts and pass out roses along the way.

Julie Hawkins, chief of the Family Member Programs Flight in the 78th Services Division, said while she has seen Tops in Blue perform, this will be her first time going to a state-side show.

"I'm very excited," she said. "I got the opportunity to see Tops in Blue in Okinawa (Japan) and Osan (Korea), but not in our continental U.S."

Ms. Hawkins said she looks forward to the famed event.

"I think it will be fantastic as always," she said. "It's a very high-energy show, very entertaining. The crowd loves them, so I expect it to be the same as I've seen it overseas. I encourage everyone to come out and support our troops, since everyone in Tops in Blue is an active-duty person. I think it would be a great support for them to come out. They support our community. It's time for us to support them."