By Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — The Rachel Lipsky Band performs for Soldiers at Tactical Base Fenty, Afghanistan, May 7, 2018, as part of a six-day tour throughout the region, during an Armed Forces Entertainment concert. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — Country music artist and Denver native, Rachel Lipsky, performed for troops at Tactical Base Fenty in eastern Afghanistan, May 7, 2018, during an Armed Forces Entertainment Tour.
Lipsky and her band played to an audience of Soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
“It means the world to us (that) she would travel more than 7,000 miles from the comforts of her home to come and share her talents and spend time with us,” said Lt. Col. Jamie Uptgraft, commander, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT, 25th Inf. Div.
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — Rachel Lipsky and her band perform live for Soldiers at Tactical Base Fenty, Afghanistan, May 7, 2018. Lipsky, her band and her dad, Jon Lipsky, traveled to several installations across Afghanistan interacting with Soldiers and lifting spirits. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
This isn’t the first time Lipsky and her band have performed for deployed troops.
“Thank you for being so welcoming,” said Lipsky. “This is our fourth tour with Armed Forces Entertainment to the Middle East and our first time to Afghanistan. Literally our favorite thing in the world is to come out here and be here with you all.”
As the intro music to “Hell of a Job” started playing, feet began tapping.
“I put this song on my album because we love our military, past and present, and also our first responders. This song goes out to y’all,” said Lipsky. “Y’all do so much for us, and I just hope you all know that there are a lot of people out there that appreciate it.”
As the band warmed up the crowd, the stresses of daily life in a combat zone seemed to melt away.
“It has been an awesome experience to boost morale (for the Soldiers), give everybody some entertainment and free their mind for a little bit,” said Kyle Therkildsen, bass player and Houston native.
Exiting the stage after the last song, Lipsky and her band mingled with Soldiers, took photos and signed autographs.
After leaving Tactical Base Fenty, Lipsky and her band traveled around the country to visit service members, and concluded with a concert at Bagram Airfield, ending their six-day Southwest Asia tour.
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — The Rachel Lipsky Band performs for Soldiers at Tactical Base Fenty, Afghanistan, May 7, 2018, as part of a six-day tour throughout the region. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)