OVER AFGHANISTAN –
Aircrew members from the 17th Airlift Squadron here, who are currently deployed as the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron completed an airdrop mission over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Nov. 5 with some VIP passengers on board.
Terry Bradshaw, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, and the rest of the team from "Fox NFL Sunday" toured installations throughout Southwest Asia as part of event with Armed Forces Entertainment. During their visit, they met with deployed troops and signed autographs. The trip concluded with a two-hour broadcast of "Fox NFL Sunday" from Afghanistan, Nov. 8.
Visiting the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines were:
- Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, 1970-1983
- Jimmy Johnson, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins coach, 1989-1999
- Howie Long, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Raiders defensive end, 1981-1993
- Michael Strahan, New York Giants defensive end, 1993-2007
- Curt Menefee, sportscaster
- Jay Glazer, sportswriter
To get to Afghanistan, the National Football League commentators tagged along during one of the squadron's recent airdrop missions. For the aircrew, it was the chance of a lifetime to meet several NFL legends, but also an opportunity to showcase the efforts of the Air Force supporting the joint fight.
"Terry Bradshaw is a hero of mine and to be able to show him what the Air Force does is really awesome," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Gaffney, an instructor loadmaster with the 816 EAS. "It's great to show them how we can take pretty much anything and drop it wherever we want."
For Mr. Long, seeing the mission up close and personal brought a new sense of appreciation for today's military.
"When you're on a trip like this, you truly get to see how remarkable this generation of Americans is," Mr. Long said.
Once the mission was completed the aircrew presented an American flag, along with a certificate, to the football legends to thank them for visiting the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
"I explained to them how we fly the flags in the aircraft during combat missions and send them home to loved ones and others to thank them for their support of all us over here," said Lt. Col. Richard Williamson, the current 816 EAS commander. "I told them the flag that had been hanging high above their heads for this mission was a gift to them for taking time from their busy schedules to come honor all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that are over here fighting for freedom and doing our nations work."
The visit is a first for the Air Force. In December 2000, "Fox NFL Sunday" broadcast two shows from the flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman, during a patrol in the Mediterranean Sea.
Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for bringing entertainment to service members overseas.
"Overall, it was an outstanding opportunity for all involved," said Colonel Williamson. "I really feel they have a better appreciation for what we do and why we do it."
Trisha Gallaway, 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article.