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McGuire Airman to perform with Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Michelle Hozey
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs volunteer
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Out of more than 400 hopefuls, only 31 Airmen were recently chosen to perform with the 2009 Tops in Blue cast. 

Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Collins, 305th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, was one of the talented few. 

Tops in Blue is an all-active duty U.S. Air Force special unit made up of talented amateur performers selected for their entertainment abilities. The group performs around the world for military personnel and their families. 

Airman Collins said he has been performing for as long as he can remember. He said his mother's friends used to look forward to having him over. "I was the little entertainer," he said. 

While he loves his current job, he said making a career out of performing would be a fulfillment of his dreams. 

He said his cousin, a major in the Air Force, told him about the group before he enlisted. He always had a glimmer of hope in his mind about becoming a member of Tops in Blue. After seeing a Tops in Blue performance here in October and being chosen as a finalist in the Air Mobility Command Icon competition, which was AMC's version of the TV show American Idol, he decided to go for it. 

"There are no words to describe the excitement I feel for representing McGuire and the Air Force as a member of Tops in Blue," he said. "I look forward to being an example, and an ambassador, of the Air Force. I will not let the McGuire community down." 

"Everybody has been so supportive," Airman Collins said. He extended a special thanks to the 305th CES and base leadership, including Col. Balan Ayyar, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Michael Carrell, 305th Mission Support Group commander, Lt. Col. Craig Cole, 305th CES commander, as well as the 305th Services Squadron for holding the AMC Icon event. Airman Collins used the video made of his performance at the AMC Icon competition as part of his application for Tops in Blue. 

"His best quality is that he's not afraid to tackle any task, which is how I think he got into Tops in Blue," said Steve Robertson, 305th CES Emergency Management Flight chief. "He sets his mind to something and goes for it." 

As a Tops in Blue member, Airman Collins will serve as an ambassador, which is similar to what he does now, Mr. Robertson said. "At McGuire, he was an ambassador to the wing," he said. "Now, he's taking it a step further by becoming an ambassador to the world." 

Mr. Robertson and the 305th CES Emergency Management Flight have mixed emotions about Airman Collins' new venture. "We are sad to see him go," he said, "but at the same time we're thrilled because the rest of the Air Force will get to see what we've known all along - that he's an absolute superstar." 

Airman Collins will be heading to Lackland AFB in March for two months of extensive singing and dancing training that will prepare him for his year-long career with the group. For others who dream of Tops in Blue, it is definitely possible, he said. 

"If you like to sing, if you like to perform or if you're into tech things, Tops in Blue is looking for all of these talents," he said. "Don't give up. I certainly didn't think I'd be sitting here now as a member of Tops in Blue."