Tops in Blue Wichita concert to feature McConnell Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  While providing air refueling support around the world is the primary mission of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, one McConnell Airman has spent the last year performing around the world as a musician with the Air Force's premier entertainment group.

Tech. Sgt. Doug Boren, 384th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator instructor, will return to Wichita Jan. 4, 2012 with the Tops in Blue cast to showcase his musical talents in a concert at the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center. The concert which begins at 6:30 p.m. is free and open to the public.

Tops in Blue is a component of the Air Force that includes a selected group of Airmen vocalists, musicians, dancers and technicians. Their mission, according to their official website, is to provide quality entertainment from within Air Force resources for the Air Force family, with priority to Air Force personnel stationed worldwide at remote and deployed locations while simultaneously promoting community relations, supporting recruiting efforts and serving as ambassadors for the United States of America and the U. S. Air Force.

Boren's decision to pursue a tour with the Tops in Blue began with his love of music.

"Music is what I do; I play the guitar, drums and keys," said Boren, who has been singing for at least 30 years. "I'm the guy who can't listen to the radio to fall asleep because I start tapping and humming along. It just makes me stay awake longer."

Boren has been stationed at McConnell since 2009, and has been in the Air Force more than 12.

In August 2009, Boren competed and won at a base-level Icon contest founded loosely on the television show, "American Idol." He then competed against 12 Airmen from Air Mobility Command bases.

Boren auditioned for and has been touring with Tops in Blue since early 2011. This year's tour is themed "Rhythm Nation," and features the music of America, from the early 1900s through today. When Rhythm Nation concludes in early 2012, Boren will return to McConnell and the mission of providing worldwide in-flight refueling at the AF's premier tanker wing.

"Everybody in Tops in Blue is on active duty and the team changes every year, so you'll never see the same show twice," said Michael Gaddis, 22nd Force Support Squadron marketing director. "People should go not only because it's good entertainment for the family; it's our way of giving back to the public for what they do for the Air Force."

Top in Blue has served as the Air Force's premier entertainment unit since 1953. With more than 7,000 shows featuring more than 1,700 Airmen, Tops in Blue has performed for millions of viewers in the past 50 years.

Tops in Blue will perform Jan. 4, 2012, at Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center, Wichita. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, call (316) 759-4980. The show is free and open to the public.

Boren and the Tops in Blue team will continue with their original performing concept of "family entertaining family."

Information in this article was provided by the Tops in Blue official website.