Stephen Colbert Lands in Iraq, Shares Big Laughs with Troops

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Sgt. Lindsey Bradford, USA

[SandRat]

Stephen Colbert interviews special guest Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of the Multi-National Force - Iraq during Monday night's episode of "The Colbert Report." Photo by Lee Craker.

CAMP VICTORY, BAGHDAD — It is official - Stephen Colbert came, saw and conquered Iraq, claiming victory on day three of his six-day adventure to the Middle East.

Arriving in a C-17 from Kuwait, Colbert landed at the Baghdad International Airport, June 5, and began preparing for his shows at Camp Victory's Al Faw Palace, as part of his tour "Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando."

"We wanted to call it 'Feelin HOT, HOT, HOT: Papa's got a brand new Baghdad', but it was too many words," he said.

In March, Colbert announced his visit the Persian Gulf, but was forced to remain tight-lipped about the event in true operational security style. Since then, he introduced a new segment on his hit night-time talk show, trying to guess which one of the seven Persian Gulf countries occupied by U.S. forces he would visit.

Iraq was the winner.

In order to prepare for the trip, Colbert attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. The training lasted a total of eight hours, although he says he "might have dipped out an hour early."

Now a slightly trained killer, armed with a smile and his "A" bag full of satirical humor, Colbert was ready to take his show live to Baghdad, where it would be recorded, edited and sent back via satellite to the U.S. It is something the United Service Organizations said was a first for any overseas tour they have organized.

Multi-National Force - Iraq Commanding General Ray Odierno asked Colbert to come and perform for the troops. However, Colbert says he came here for the buzz cut President Barack Obama ordered Odierno to give to him during the opening show at the palace, June 7.

"I also want to claim this as my military time if I decide to run for president in 2012," he said.

Colbert filmed four shows, which began airing in the United States the week, of June 8. The reaction from the service members here has been amazing, he said.

"It's been fantastic," he said of his welcoming. "All these people are so nice out here; I don't understand why they want to fight with each other."

Colbert noted that he knows nothing about the country of Iraq, aside from the few days he has been at Camp Victory.

"It's hot, it's sandy, the sun is blazing. It seems like Texas, but with fewer guns," Colbert said of Iraq.

He added that if he were to describe the country to Americans, concrete and blast walls would sum the landscape, and he compared the air quality to that of an exhaust system.

"Who had the idea to build an entire country in the tailpipe of a car?" he asked a crowd of about 400 people during his first show.

Soldiers, Airman, Sailors, and Marines packed the palace's rotunda every night of tapings, their thunderous cheers echoed off of three stories of marble walls. In addition to Odierno, guests included Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Barham Saleh; Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, Jr., Multi-National Corps - Iraq commanding general; Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe, MNC-I command sergeant major; Sgt. Robin Balcom and Spc. Tareq Salha.

Balcom is a military police officer with the 8th MP Brigade, 93rd MP Battalion's 463rd MP Company stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Balcom was nominated for the show by her commanders because of the multiple tours she has served in Iraq. Being on the show was an opportunity she was glad she didn't pass up because it only happens once in a life time, she said.

Salha, an interpreter with 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light), based in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, said he enjoyed meeting Colbert because he was such a genuine person.

"He is trying to express what we, as Soldiers, go through in a fun way [on his show], and he succeeded," Salha said. "It was an outstanding experience, and I really enjoyed being able to speak on behalf of myself."

President Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, John McCain, Sarah Palin and Tom Hanks sent out special thanks to the troops in pre-recorded messages that aired during the show. McCain's comment to "always take the time to remember to clean your musket," grew boisterous laughs, as people shook their heads in amusement. McCain said he learned the importance of a clean weapon during Valley Forge.

Sgt. Jennifer Miller, an awards clerk with Company B, Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Courage, had not seen The Colbert Report before attending the June 7 show.

"His comedy covers all ranges. He is willing to pick on anyone," Miller said. "He is very funny!"

Miller said Colbert's antics will definitely keep her watching from now on.

In addition to the night's performances, Colbert spent time meeting and greeting service members on Camp Stryker, another camp located within Baghdad's Victory Base Complex.

Roughly 200 people showed up for a chance at a picture, a laugh and a handshake with the comedian.

"It's a nice break in the day to come in here and meet him," said Staff Sgt. Jason Moldan, an Army Reservist with the 401st Engineer Company out of Oklahoma City, Okla. An avid fan, Moldan said it's been hard to catch Colbert's show since he's been deployed, but he still remains a steadfast member of the Colbert Nation.

When asked if this was a great USO tour or the greatest USO tour, Colbert didn't miss a beat when he answered "the greatest." Camp Victory agrees.

[SandRat]

LOST LOCKS - Multinational Force Iraq
Commanding Gen. Raymond T. Odierno helps
Stephen Colbert become more "soldierly" by shaving
his trademark hair into a more traditional military
"buzz cut" in an episode of "The Colbert Report"
broadcast from Baghdad. Colbert filmed a week of episode's
from Camp Victory's Al Faw Palace in Baghdad as part of a USO tour.
U.S. Army photo by Lee Craker

[SandRat]

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[Textide]

I like the suit!

Here's about five minutes of the video...
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2009/06/stephen-colbert-and-brooks-brothers-invade-iraq.html

[not2worry]

I am very glad that we have not forgotten our Troops.

I pray that Colbert saw another side of what our men and women in uniform are doing to defend our Country and the rights we enjoy.

Very joyful to know our Troops got a few well derserved laughs.

Anyone know when the shows will air in the USA? I’d love to Tivo them.

THANKS STEPHEN COLBERT!!!

[SandRat]

Thank Textide for this.

Here’s about five minutes of the video...
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2009/06/stephen-colbert-and-brooks-brothers-invade-iraq.html

[Drew68]

I just finished reading the Newsweek that Colbert guest-edited. He seems to be sincerely troubled at the current lack of coverage given to the war in Iraq and genuinely concerned that the sacrifices of our servicemembers aren't forgotten over there.

[Tanniker Smith]

I'll give Colbert props for going over there for the troops.

But he's still an ass, though.

[IGOTMINE]

Our guys and gals have been over there since 2003 and this POS finally goes over there to raise morale? I wonder what has changed...

[SlowBoat407]

Those are Obama’s troops now!

[jdfromny]

I posted this earlier today.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2270418/posts

[Huck]

A friend of mine works for the Colbert show as a sound guy and is on this trip. I wish them all a safe and fun trip. I hope the troops have a good time with it.

[Prole]

My sentiment exactly.

I wonder if this is really just a superficial attempt to get ratings on the Comedy Channel since much of their prime-time programming takes a hard-left position.

That worthless bastard Jon Leibowitz leads the way in that department.

South Park remains the only program I watch on the Comedy Channel since Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the only ones that use Obama as the butt of some of their jokes.

[Prole]

"His comedy covers all ranges. He is willing to pick on anyone,"

Welllllll, almost anyone....

There being TWO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS to that rule, of course...

[Ramius]

It was a good bit. Congrats to him for doing it and going there. Even Obama had a moment of non-suckishness in the thing. The troops obviously got a kick out of it.

Giving credit where credit is due.

[conivorous]

FYI....

Both the character Colbert (silent “t’’) and the real Colbert (pronounced “t’’), a Catholic family man, are ardent supporters of the troops. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Yellow Ribbon Fund (a charity that assists injured service members and their families), and he’s a board member of DonorsChoose.org, which benefits the schools of military kids.

[bushfamfan]

Why doesn’t Colbert use his time to demand 0bama bring the troops home NOW. You know, he’s the same a**hat he has always been.