Photo By Rob Strain | The Army Materiel Command Band, Raw Material, rocks the Morale, Welfare and Recreation...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq — The U.S. Army Materiel Command Band, out of Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., performed Oct. 17 at Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq.
Raw Materiel, the AMC's nine-member rock ensemble, jammed to a range of popular tunes in a headline show at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation indoor theater and performed two encore performances in the main dining facility Oct. 18 and Oct. 19.
The band is in the midst of a 40-day tour that includes stops at Joint Base Balad, Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, Contingency Operating Location Falcon, COL Meade, COL Carver, Talil, Mosul and Kuwait, said Maj. John Herd, director of Morale, Welfare and Recreation and a Florence, Miss., native..
Sgt. Elizabeth Whitehead, personnel clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, out of Fort Hood, Texas, said she enjoyed the show.
"The show was great," said the Los Angeles native. "They had a large variety of music, and they made me feel like I was somewhere else."
Staff Sgt. Jennifer G. Hutton, a supply noncommissioned officer in the same unit, echoed Whitehead's feeling of being transported by the music.
"They had a lot of energy, and they took my mind off being away from home," said Hutton, an Anchorage, Alaska, native. "I appreciate them taking the time to come put on a show for us."
Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Smith, bass player and operations NCO, who has deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, said the band has had a great tour so far.
"Everyone has been great," said Smith, a Geneva, Ill., native. "The only issue we've had is the inconsistency of voltage in the power grid. We've blown three circuits and popped one generator."
Spc. Natanal Afanador, piano and saxophone player, on his first overseas deployment, praised the support the band has received.
"All the places we have been have been very organized and have taken good care of us," said Afanador, a San Juan, Puerto Rico, native.
He said he believes their music helps improve troop morale.
"Our purpose is to support the troops, give them a little distraction," said Afanador. "They are doing important work in helping to rebuild a government."
Herd said the band volunteered to perform two extra shows when its outbound flight was delayed.
"This is the kind of quality show that Soldiers enjoy," said Herd. "The band was outstanding, and they really lifted our spirits ... They are a class act all the way, and we are grateful that Raw Materiel visited Q-West."
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2009 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 40618 |
| Location: | QAYYARAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 297 |
| Downloads: | 263 |
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