Tour de Force - Middle East 8

October 16, 2007 to November 1, 2007

A tour that took people to places never before experienced by entertainers on a Forces Entertainment tour. Twelve days and nine concerts in locations far and wide across the middle east. This include the first ever tour to the ISAF headquarters in Kabul.

Highlights of the tour include not just Kabul but also the solitude of Tarin Kowt and the pure majesty of the countryside and mountains surrounding the city. It was here where we met some of the local villagers who are being trained by Australians to become tradesmen to help rebuild and maintain facilities in the villages.

After Afghanistan, Iraq beckoned so it was a long and boring Hercules flight that carried us back through our staging point. Thanks to the crew of the Hercules for their hospitality, we shall not say what you guys did for us because everyone would come to expect it, all we will say is "It was brilliant".

Then into Iraq for concerts in Taji, Baghdad and Tallil, where even the threat of some local unrest could not deter our performers from doing what they do best - singing and joking with the troops.

Then it was back to our staging point to clean the equipment and get five hour's rest before boarding the long flight back to Australia.

Particular thanks need to go to the Australian Army Band - Sydney for the work they did in the setting up and taking down of the staging and lighting - mostly with little time and usually at the end of some very long days - and that was in addition to playing sets, backing Alexis and managing the lighting and sound.