LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Emmy award-winning comedian and Tonight Show host Jay Leno performed at Lackland's historic Kelly Field Saturday to a crowd of more than 2,000, including Airmen from the 433rd Airlift Wing, wounded warriors and service members from across Joint Base San Antonio.
The performance coincided with Leno's current "Tour for the Troops" excursion, and was part of the "Refer a Friend" Tour, an Air Force Reserve Command recruiting initiative designed to encourage reservists to find potential new recruits among their peers.
"The best way to keep the Air Force Reserve strong is to recruit good people like the ones we already have," said Senior Master Sgt. Tony Woods, 433rd Airlift Wing senior recruiter said of the program. "The best way to find those high-quality people is through the men and women currently serving."
Shortly after Leno arrived at Lackland, he was escorted by more than 20 motorcycles to the Kelly Field Club on Port San Antonio, where he spent about an hour at a pre-show reception, greeting Joint Base San Antonio leadership, wounded warriors, city officials and members of the 433rd AW and their guests.
After the reception, Leno was driven to base operations, Hangar 1610 on Kelly Field, where he performed. Before entering the hangar, he stopped and took a look at the classic and antique cars and motorcycles Alamo Wing members had on display outside the hangar.
The comedian impressed guests with his knowledge of automobiles by pointing out details of the different cars and motorcycles while mingling and joking with owners. "It (the show) was good," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Patterson, 433rd AW historian, himself an avid motorcycle rider and enthusiast. "He enjoyed the antique cars and bikes we brought out."
The audience took their seats in the hangar while Leno examined the cars and motorcycles.
Then the opening act took to the stage. The Band of the Air Force Reserve, High Flight, energized the gathering by playing a variety of popular songs while Leno prepared for his performance. Col. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander, introduced Leno to the audience while thanking everyone in attendance, including the individuals who came together to make the event a success.
"It was good to see the wounded warriors there laughing, forgetting their pain, even if for a few minutes," said 433rd AW Command Chief Master Sgt. Emil Garza.
Leno's hour-long performance touched on politics, current events and other topics, which drew laughter from the audience and support staff. After the performance, an audience member rushed toward the stage with a painting in hand.
Instead of backing away, Leno took the pen and signed the artwork. "I love Jay Leno. He is incredibly funny," said Maria Anita Monsiviaz, a San Antonio resident who brought a painting she made of Leno in hopes that he would sign it.
"I got very excited when I heard he was coming here." Col. David Hutchinson, 433rd AW vice commander, presented Leno with a commemorative Alamo Wing Bowie knife as a token of the unit's appreciation.
The 433rd AW sponsored a Jay Leno art contest, which was won by Army 1st Lt. Kyle Hermanson, who is stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, and married to Staff Sgt. Allison Hermanson, from the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.
Leno has visited several military installations, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Fort Carson, Colo., Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska, and other bases to express his gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the men and women in uniform.