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Tinker Airmen to tour with Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Robert Talenti
  • 689th Combat Communications Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --  Senior Airman Ruth Bryce, a 34th Combat Communications Squadron cyber transport journeyman, was selected for a one-year permissive temporary duty assignment in support of the Air Force's premier entertainment-showcase, Tops in Blue.

After the tryouts, Airman Bryce returned to her unit where she anxiously awaited the results of the competition.

Maj. Shelly Prescod, 34th CBCS commander, broke the news of Airman Bryce's selection in front of her squadron during a commander's call Jan. 27.

"I was so excited to hear that I had made the team and it was great to share the results with the 34th," said Airman Bryce. "It was a long process, but I look forward to the challenges ahead and putting on one great show after another for our Airmen."

Airman Bryce wasn't handed the job. She spent a week and a half at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where she beat out 50 other Airmen in competitions testing their physical and technical skills.

"It was really intense as we spent long days building a stage, performing lights, video, audio setup and equipment operations," said Airman Bryce. "I used skills [from before my military experience] in broadcast media production and especially skills that I learned while with the [3rd Combat Communications Group] 'Herd.'"

This tryout wasn't Airman Bryce's first attempt at joining the team. In 2011, she submitted an application while still at technical school. Once she arrived at the 3rd CCG, she left for Afghanistan on a seven-month deployment and had to complete her upgrade training. Her submission for the 2011 team was put on hold.

Airman Bryce said there are many parallels to working in combat communications and her new role in Tops in Blue; both duties require a lot of packing and unpacking of gear, attention to detail and a mission first attitude to get the job done.

"In both combat communications and Tops in Blue, the team has to be self-sufficient," Airman Bryce said. "Everyone pitches in and knows a bit about the other member's job. In fact, I should deploy twice with Tops in Blue which is an operations tempo that I am used to in combat COMM."

"My job in the Herd is flowing information and connecting hardware, this is a perfect fit for connecting all of the audiovisual equipment for Tops in Blue," Airman Bryce said. "The key is to accomplish the mission strategically, safely and efficiently to give the best possible product."

Airman Bryce, the only female of the six technicians selected, will report to the Tops in Blue team in March. She will return to the 3rd Herd upon completion of her special duty assignment.

"Senior Airman Bryce is a great Airman and will do great things for the Tops in Blue team," said Major Prescod. "She is a great technician and a very motivated Airman, we are very proud of her."