Rock the Casbah

At the last show for the Tour de Force, Drew McAlister starts off the night’s entertainment in Baghdad. Photo by Sgt William Guthrie, 1JPAU

A TOURING group of Aussie entertainers have proven a major hit with ADF personnel throughout the Middle East.

The group, including rock group The Choirboys, comedian George Smilovici, singer/songwriter Drew McAlister and author Bessie Bardot are playing a series of concerts in many locations throughout the Middle East.

Choirboys vocalist Mark Gable said he felt proud to perform in front of the troops.

“It has been a phenomenal experience, and from what we have seen so far you can only be inspired by what a great job our Defence Force people are doing in tough conditions,” he said.

“We are playing to big and small groups, and the response of the troops has been fantastic. They really accepted us into their world and really like having us here to give them a break from their routine.”

The tour will wind up this week with a number of performances for the crew of HMAS Adelaide in the Persian Gulf.

While on tour, the entertainers have been supported by a contingent of 18 members from the RAAF Central Band.

Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Brig Peter Hutchinson praised the entertainers for making the trip and providing quality entertainment in a difficult and dangerous environment.

“These entertainers have provided us with a fantastic reminder of home and are to be congratulated on making their valuable contribution to the welfare of the ADF personnel over here,” he said.