Two Tops In Blue Airmen perform close to home

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaleb Snay
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Tops In Blue is the Air Force's premier entertainment group made of active-duty Airmen who perform worldwide to include stateside bases, overseas bases and deployment locations.

With this high amount of travel, Airmen who participate in Tops in Blue may not see family and friends for up to a year, which makes performing so close to home an amazing coincidence.

Capt. Fenesha Friar, Officer in Charge of Tops In Blue, who was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi; and Senior Airman Alysha Davis, Tops In Blue Vocalist, from Batesville, Mississippi, were both ecstatic to find out their next performance was Columbus, Mississippi. This was not just because of the joy they can bring to the base and its community through popular family-friendly music and dancing, but because it meant several audience members would be their very own family.

"It's really awesome," Davis said before the performance. "I'm excited because when my mom talked to me she said 'I'm bringing like 20 people up.' My mom will bring my two-year-old son. I don't get to just take a break and go home so it's not often I get to see them [family]."

Along with the stress of traveling, preparing a stage, practicing for a show and performing in front of thousands of people, being separated from family for up to a year can make Tops In Blue a challenging job.

"One of the challenging things about being in Tops In Blue is you go through a lot of things that you wouldn't experience as 'the average Airman,' and my family has been that support system for me," Friar said. "I was very excited to see them [family] and introduce them to the people I work with; bringing the two families together if you would."  

This year marks the Tops In Blue's 60th anniversary. This not only recognizes a long-term tradition but also celebrates a tried and true way of supporting the Airmen and communities they perform for.

"We get to contribute to the overall Air Force mission, specifically boosting Airmen morale," Friar said. "We've gone to bases to perform before and were told 'Hey, this was the highlight of my year' and knowing that someone looked forward to seeing us makes you want to give it your all. I've grown as a leader. There were hundreds of Airmen that went before us and established that 60-year legacy, and I want to ensure that it continues."