Kadena Airmen perform in Tops In Blue

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Tateishi
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Tops In Blue is a show for Airmen, by Airmen. While the show's high-energy music and audience interaction creates lasting memories for the crowd, the memories gained by the Airmen who perform in Tops In Blue can also last a lifetime. 

This is especially true for two Kadena Air Base Airmen who have temporarily left their duties here to go on tour with Tops In Blue.

For trumpet player, Senior Airman Christopher Cacopardo,  numerous performances have taken him to many bases across the globe.

"This has been the most amazing tour of my entire life," Airman Cacopardo exclaimed. "I have a Facebook app that tells me all the places I've been and it's full of green dots all around the world. At my age, I've been to more places on this tour than some people have in their entire life," he added.

The Tops In Blue tour has also been a homecoming for Airman Cacopardo, who stopped at Kadena Air Base for a recent performance. He left the flightline here after maintaining F-15s last year to pursue his passion for music.

"The night before I left here I watched a movie in the base theater and thought to myself that I would be performing in this theater. Now I'm here. I actually went and sat in the same chair I sat in a year ago and it made me realize how amazing it was. I still can't believe I'm doing this," Airman Cacopardo said.

Another Kadena Airman who reminisced on their experience touring with Tops In Blue thus far was vocalist, Staff Sgt. Candace Fagan.  After an extended period of time serving away from her family, she was finally reunited with them while performing here.

"The last time I saw my family was March 6th, before I left for San Antonio, Texas. I'm very glad to be back home at Kadena," Sergeant Fagan said.

Both Airman Cacopardo and Sergeant Fagan said the performances at Kadena have been memorable.  Soon they will return to Kadena and continue performing. Only the next time, they will be performing in their respective Air Force specialties.