 | NFL Players Visit Bagram Airmen
(March 11, 2010) |
| |
| BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (3/9/2010 - AFNS) -- Four National Football League players visited Bagram Airfield servicemembers March 5, as part of a USO tour of the U.S. Central Command area of operations. |
 | | Capt. Tyler Terrazone and Mario Williams of the Houston Texans discuss weapons systems operations during a National Football League players visit March 5, 2010, to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Captain Terrazone is an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron |
|
Mario Williams, a defensive end for the Houston Texans; Jason Whitten, a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys; Vernon Davis, a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Thomas, an offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, were welcomed by the servicemembers.
The signed autographs, posed for pictures with the troops and learned about the mission in Afghanistan.
The players visited servicemembers on the flightline, at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital and then stopped by the Pat Tillman USO for a trivia session and to sign a few pictures. |
 | | Jason Witten (left) of the Dallas Cowboys talks with Col. James Beissner and Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Cui during a recent National Football League players visit March 5, 2010, to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Colonel Beissner is the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander and Chief Cui is the 455th AEW command chief master sergeant. |
|
"It's great to be able to see the guys who put their lives on the line to protect us and our country," Mr. Williams said.
"It's great that they can come out here and support us," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Williamson, a 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load team chief. "We have a lot of NFL fanatics out here."
Sergeant Williamson, a San Francisco 49ers fan from Charleston, S.C., said (the visit) means a lot to everyone and the support from the USO is great because it gives everyone a chance to have up close and personal interaction with individuals they would normally only get to see on television. |
 | | Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers signs autographs for servicemembers March 5, 2010 at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. |
|
Mr. Williams said the experience was eye opening for him.
"Coming here has been a great experience for me," he said. "Just being able to come here and see what the troops have to go through on a daily basis; it has been amazing."
"I appreciate everything that you guys do," Mr. Williams said. "I want to wish all the troops the best, and I hope everyone returns home safe." |
Article and photos by USAF SSgt. Richard Williams
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Copyright 2010Reprinted from Air Force News Service Comment on this article |
