10/6/2003 - KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- A group of comedians from the United States visited here Oct. 2 to entertain the troops and film segments for an upcoming DVD.
The comedians were part of the Laugh Factory team, which belongs to the United Services Organization tour traveling through Southwest Asia.
Ralphie May, the headliner for the show, teamed with three other comedians to entertain more than 300 troops here. May, who has been featured on “Last Comic Standing,” will also release a DVD next year and wanted to include his trip here as a part of it.
“I asked to have many shots of the crowd because that’s what I wanted to show: people’s faces,” May said. “We’ll also include the autograph session we did after the show.”
Lahna Turner, another comedian who performed, said it was an honor to come to Iraq and entertain the troops.
“We all really appreciate what you are doing here,” Turner said. “I know the people back home feel the same way.”
Bob Marley, a comedian from New England, said he was pleasantly surprised with Kirkuk.
“In my mind, I was thinking the worst, but it actually isn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” he said. “It is amazing what can be done with a patch of dirt!”
Marley, who has been doing comedy for 12 years, said this was one of his many unique performance places.
“I’ve done comedy at beer festivals, as well as (in) people’s driveways,” he said. “This was different.”
Butch Bradley, who has appeared on HBO, said the crowd was the best part about this performance.
“Everyone was so responsive to all of us,” Bradley said. “We all know that the Air Force and Army have been here for a long time, and we just wanted to bring a smile to people’s faces for a couple of hours.”
Each of the performers expressed no concern for their safety.
“I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to do this,” May said. “I see what’s on the news, but when I got in and saw all of the planes you have here, I knew nothing was going to happen to me.”
The tour was organized by Joan Bouman, a producer in Los Angeles.
“We wanted to do something in the spirit of Bob Hope for the troops here,” she said. “He was a pioneer for entertaining troops overseas and each of these young comedians wanted to perform here in Iraq. They were all gung-ho from the beginning about coming here and having the opportunity to perform. The military troops are near and dear to our hearts and we really appreciate what you are doing here.”
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Maj. Mark Ernewein explains the A-10 Thunderbolt II's equipment to comedian Butch Bradley during a tour here Oct. 2. Four comedians from the USO Laugh Factory Comedy Tour entertained more than 300 Kirkuk residents. Ernewein is assigned to the 303rd Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Charlein She)