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Firehouse Rock!

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Davidson
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq --  A group of eight American Airmen made huge strides in furthering U.S. and Iraqi ties using the universal language of music in what is most likely the first-ever rock concert at Baghdad International Airport.

The Air Force Central Command's classic rock band "Mirage" brought their music to a group of Iraqi firefighters who have dedicated their lives to protecting the lives and property of others.

Using the airport fire station as an improvised auditorium, the band set up for the show in the fire truck parking garage as their Iraqi hosts helped unload the assortment of instruments and sound equipment.

Once the stage was set, the Iraqi fire chief served as the interpreter for band leader and bass guitarist Tech. Sgt. Kenny Maurais while he explained how honored the band was to perform for such a special group of Iraq's finest.

As the sun was setting and the day's heat began radiating off the pavement on what was already a muggy evening, the first notes of Marvin Gaye's "Ain't No Mountain" echoed across the airfield and the band's music immediately reached out and grasped the audience's attention.

At first, the firefighters sat wide-eyed while they listened to the smooth and rich voice of vocalist Tech. Sgt. Kim Lively as she sang a medley of Motown hits, but when the band played Martha and the Vandella's hit "Dancin' in the Streets," that's just what the Iraqi's did. Mirage drummer Staff Sergeant Bennett Weidemann set the beat and the firefighter's feet followed along.

While combat operations continue to target insurgent and terrorist activities throughout Iraq, the band used their music to connect with their audience in a way that formed an oasis of peace, freedom and security within the fire station walls.

"The firefighter's reaction to us and our music was amazing," said Sergeant Maurais, "This performance was without a doubt one of the highlights of our deployment."

The mission of Air Force bands is to support operations globally in both war and peace including civic outreach events; and the performance at Baghdad International Airport was exactly what civic outreach is all about.

"Part of the band's mission is to strengthen the reputation of the Air Force, and the opportunity to perform for this type of audience accomplishes that mission," explained Master Sgt. Mark Stanaford, saxophone player and band NCO in charge. "This performance allowed us to reach out to people that we might never have had the opportunity to if it wasn't for the relationship between the Iraqi and Air Force firefighters."

The performance was made possible in part by 447th Air Expeditionary Group fire chief Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Chrissley and his firefighters at Sather Air Base on the west side of the Baghdad airport flightline.

The Air Force firefighters have been working and training with their Iraqi counterparts for months in order to strengthen their capabilities into a combined force to protect the sprawling airfield. It's that relationship which allowed Chief Chrissley to work with the Iraqi fire chief to set up the special performance for his men.

The band is deployed from the Air Force Band of Liberty at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and performs at bases and forward operating locations throughout the AFCENT theater of operations. During their week-long tour at Sather Air Base, Mirage will perform eight concerts for varying audiences including American Airmen and Soldiers, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the Iraqi firefighters.

During the Baghdad airport performance, the band offered their Iraqi audience a taste of Motown, classic rock and even some disco. With each number, the band leader watched the audience's reaction and quickly found a trend in the music they preferred. "When the audience gets up and starts dancing, it's a pretty clear indication that we've found the right mix of songs," Sergeant Maurais said. "It was also obvious that the firefighters were really taken by the band's stage presence."

When Sergeant Lively sang The Isley Brothers' "Shout," nearly the entire audience left their seats and moved forward for a chance to dance with her.

When the show reached the finale, Sergeant Maurais bid the Iraqis "good night" and explained that they would end the show with a number that reflected what the band feels for their special audience; Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

After rousing applause and a little coaxing by the Iraqi fire chief, the performance ended with an encore performance of Bob Segar's "Old Time Rock and Roll" before the band packed up the stage for the trip back to Sather.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the dangers posed by insurgent activities that target Iraqi officials, one Iraqi firefighter said that the men were pleased to welcome the American band, and they had expected a quiet little performance of western music; but, he said, "the show was better than they could have ever hoped."

As they pulled away from the fire station, the firefighters came out of the station to wave a final farewell and thank you. Nearby, Iraqi security guards manning check points stood at attention and saluted as the band passed by.