Tour de Force - Middle East 4

December 20, 2005 to January 5, 2006

This tour was conducted to coincide with Christmas and New Year celebrations and consisted of a series of 15 concerts held over a 13 day period in 7 different locations across the Middle East.

The key Military appointments for TDF MEAO 4 were: LTCOL Greg McCauley, Commanding Officer (CO); LCDR Phillip Anderson, Executive Officer & Musical Director (XO/MD) and WO1 Mark Langley, Civilian Liaison Officer (CLO).

The TDF MEAO 4 artists were:

- Little Pattie (Patricia Amphlett), singer, entertainer and FACE Patron;

- Angry Anderson, singer and entertainer;

- Beccy Cole, country singer and Country Music Entertainer of the Year 2005;

- Hayley Jensen, singer and Australian Idol 2 finalist;

- Lehmo, comedian Anthony Lehman from SA FM and Channel 9’s “After the Game”;

- Bessie Bardot and Geoff Barker, MC’s, authors and personalities; and

- Lawrie Thompson, guest percussionist.

The basic format of the shows were:

- Opening by MC’s Bessie Bardot & Geoff Barker with RAN Band support;

- a 30 minute set from RAN Band;

- Singer Hayley Jensen a 15 - 20 minute set;

- Comedian Lehmo performed a 15 minute set ;

- Beccy Cole performed a 20 – 30 minute set;

- Angry Anderson performed a 20 – 30 minute set followed by;

- the finale with all artists involved.

Throughout the show, artists were introduced by MC’s Bessie Bardot and Geoff Barker.

Two of the highlights for the civilian artists were a trip to Basra in Southern Iraq and to HMAS Parramatta, an ANZAC Class Frigate on tour in the Persian Gulf. The lead civilian acts (and escorts) made a detour to Basra on Christmas morning where one short concert was held. Unfortunately due to poor weather, these personnel were stranded in Basra overnight and rejoined the tour on schedule in Baghdad.

HMAS Parramatta received a concert on New Years day. The concert was held at the rear of the ship with all available crew in attendance.