Published: April 18, 2006

101st Airborne Division Band Entertains FOB Warhorse

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Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD

BAQUBAH, Iraq - The beat goes on for the 101st Airborne Division Band's rock combo after its first tour was slowed by weather and flight delays.

BAQUBAH, Iraq - Staff Sgt. Mike Krzmarzick, a member of the 101st Division Band's rock band belts out a tune during a performance at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.
Photo by: Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD

The band opened its tour here at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, home of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,Task Force Band of Brothers. The audience in Cash Gym heard everything from rock and soul classics like Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come on Eileen" to Shania Twain's country hit, "Man, I Feel Like A Woman."

"It's a good thing to get away from our day-to-day routine and do something different," said David Casper, one of the band's vocalists. "This was great because we were well received and the units took good care of us."

The band had planned several more stops on its "FOB-hopping" tour. However, the dates fell during Operation Swarmer which was ongoing at the time, and many appearances were cancelled or rescheduled.

Casper said the band's most memorable performance came at Warhorse. The band set up in front of the base's coffee shop and simply began playing.

"We started out with five people watching and soon it was 150," said Casper, who hails from Marin, Calif. "A convoy came by, parked their vehicles and listened for about an hour."

BAQUBAH, Iraq - Spc. Krause, a member of the 101st Division Band's rock band belts out a tune during a performance at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.
Photo by: Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD

The tour also unveiled an original song. Well, sort of.
Casper took The Beatles' "Come Together" and re-wrote the lyrics. The lyrics now talk about life for Soldiers during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"A lot of people liked it," Casper said. "It was well received."
Among the band's new fans is Sgt. David Riddle. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native serves as a member of convoy security for Company B, 64th Brigade Support Battalion.

"I really liked it," Riddle said. "They were sounding good."

Riddle said he was most impressed with the band's versatility. Whether it was Alicia Keys or Eurotrip, he said they performed with equal skill.

"It covered all aspects of the music," Riddle said. "That was what I liked most about it."

The band is back out on the road this month. Casper said they would be playing at base camps in the Baghdad area.

Anthony D Buchanan
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