Leno lifts laughter level at Lackland

Comedian and TV host, Jay Leno, shows off his strength and spontaneous personality by picking up 4-foot, 10-inch tall, Tech. Sgt. Hilary Reyes, mistress of ceremonies, minutes after concluding an hour-long comedic performance, Aug. 6, 2011, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. More than 2,000 people attended the event officially hosted by the 433rd Airlift Wing and sponsored by the Air Force Reserve Command's recruiting program, “Get 1 Now.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian McGloin)

Jay Leno performs at Lackland AFB

Comedian and TV host, Jay Leno, gives his seal of approval for the line of classic cars and motorcycles on display for guests attending his comedic performance, Aug. 6, 2011, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. More than 2,000 people attended the event officially hosted by the 433rd Airlift Wing and sponsored by the Air Force Reserve Command's recruiting program, “Get 1 Now.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian McGloin)

Jay Leno lifts laughter level at Lackland

Comedian and TV host, Jay Leno, delivers another punch line during an hour-long comedic performance, Aug. 6, 2011, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. More than 2,000 people attended the event officially hosted by the 433rd Airlift Wing and sponsored by the Air Force Reserve Command's recruiting program, “Get 1 Now.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian McGloin)

Leno meets with wounded warriors before show

Comedian and TV host, Jay Leno, poses for a group photo with two wounded warriors from Brooks Army Medical Center, Army Pfc. Juan Antonio Garcia and Spc. Kyle Perry, Aug. 6, 2011, at the Kelly Field Club next to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Leno met with service members, local community leaders and other guests at a private reception ceremony. The term, wounded warrior, is commonly used to refer to military members who've been seriously injured in combat while deployed to war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan among others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian McGloin)

Leno presented with 1st place artwork

Jay Leno gives a thumbs up as a sign of approval and appreciation, as Col. David Hutchinson, 433rd Airlift Wing vice commander, presents him the first-place winning artwork of the 433 AW Jay Leno Art Contest. The painting was presented in front of more than 2,000 guests attending a free comedic performance by the TV host and comedian Aug. 6, 2011, at the base operations hangar, Bldg. 1610, at the Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The painting was created by Army 1st Lt. Kyle Hermanson, from the 69th Air Defense Brigade at Ft. Hood, Texas, who heard about the contest from his wife, Allison, a staff sergeant with the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian McGloin)

Jay Leno brings laughter to the 433 AW and JBSA

Published Aug. 9, 2011
By Senior Airman Brian McGloin
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - -- Jay Leno, comedian and TV personality, made a stop here during his Tour for the Troops to perform in front of more than 2,000 members of the 433rd Airlift Wing, wounded warriors and guests.

The performance was also part of the Refer a Friend Tour, under the "Get 1 Now" program, an Air Force Reserve Command recruitment 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 in a pre-show reception, greeting Joint Base San Antonio leadership, wounded warriors, city officials and members of the 433 AW and their guests.

After the reception, Leno was driven to base operations, Hangar 1610 on Kelly Field, where he would perform. 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 the owners.

"It (the show) was good -- overall good," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Patterson, 433 AW historian, himself an avid motorcycle rider and enthusiast. "We had a good time. It was good; he enjoyed the antique cars and bikes we brought out."

As Leno examined the cars and motorcycles, members of the audience took their seats in the hangar, and 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 music while Leno prepared for his performance to follow.

When it was time for Leno to perform, he was introduced by Col. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander, who thanked everyone in attendance and 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 Chief Master Sgt. Emil Garza, 433 AW command chief master sergeant.

Leno's hour-long performance touched on politics, current events and other topics, which drew laughter from audience members 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."

After the autograph, Col. David Hutchinson, 433 AW vice commander, presented Leno with a commemorative Alamo Wing Bowie knife as a token of appreciation and the winning painting from the 433 AW Jay Leno art contest, which was created by Army 1st Lt. Kyle Hermanson, who is stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, and is married to Staff Sgt. Allison Hermanson, from the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

During the Tour for the Troops, 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.