By
Graham Davis
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Former
Rose Tattoo front man Angry Anderson joins Canberra rock
band Kintama in Iraq. The tour also included 17 members
of the RAN Band.
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When
17 members of the Royal Australian Navy Band headed off to do
a series of Christmas/ New Year gigs they not only packed their
saxophones, trumpets and drums, they also took Steyr rifles, bullet
proof vests and helmets.
When Santa Claus joined them on stage he wore a sidearm.
The
reason? The band was playing in Baghdad, where nothing is left
to chance when it comes to safety.
Force Protection is a priority.
The RAN’s Director of Music, LCDR Phil Anderson led the 16
musicians and vocalists on what was dubbed “Tour De Force
MEAO 1”.
In November, he received an invitation by the Forces Advisory
Committee on entertainment to send an element of the RAN Band
to the MEAO to support Australian and Coalition forces deployed
in the region.
The musicians were selected, given arms training by Command Ceremonial
WO Jock McQueen and flown to the Middle East.
They were accompanied by civilian entertainer Angry Anderson and
the Canberra based “rock” band Kintama.
In Kuwait City the RAN personnel went and performed a concert
in Camp Doha.
A flight into Baghdad followed, where two Australian Army ASLAVS
transported the musicians to the Australian compound while a Unimog
carried their instruments.
A series of concerts followed, wowing the Australians and the
Americans. The band also visited HMAS Melbourne (CMDR Vern Dutschke).
