Rachel Lipsky livens deployed servicemember’s resolve

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/5/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — During an Armed Forces Entertainment tour across the region, the Rachel Lipsky Band visited servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 29 and 30, saw several facilities, and put on two performances.

Lipsky’s influences are Patty Loveless, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Melba Montgomery and Selena. She is also a huntress and has a web-based hunting show called “Wild Enough to Shoot At.”

Today, AFE hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. From muddy make-shift stages to show-stopping extravaganzas, the performances bring a piece of home to those stationed far away from home.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

The Rachel Lipsky Band performs for servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, May 29, 2013. The group toured several facilities and put on two performances during their visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

Rachel Lipsky and her band perform for servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, May 29, 2013. The performance was part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour around the region. AFE hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

The Rachel Lipsky Band performs for servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, May 29, 2013. The group toured several facilities and put on two performances during their visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

The Rachel Lipsky Band performs for servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, May 29, 2013. The group toured several facilities and put on two performances during their visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

The Rachel Lipsky Band performs for servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, May 29, 2013. The group toured several facilities and put on two performances during their visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)