Forces entertainment tour rocks the desert

Entertainers with Australia's Forces Entertainment Tour performed in front of a large crowd at the Air Task Group's main operating base in the Middle East in the lead up to Christmas.

Performing throughout the Middle East for troops on various operations such as Operation OKRA, ACCORDION and HIGHROAD, the line up for this Tour did not disappoint.

TV personality and comedian, Gretel Killeen, kicked off the show and warmed up the audience and introduced each performer, with the first being comedian Nick Cody.

After Nick had the audience rolling around in laughter, the Australian Army Band took to the stage, followed by rock band Lillye.

Enjoying the variety of performances from comedy to rock music, Air Task Group supplier, Leading Aircraftwoman (LACW) Hayley had a great night with her deployed family.

"This is my second exposure to a Forces Entertainment Tour performance with the first being only a few months ago here in the Middle East," LACW Hayley said.

"The comedian Nick Cody was a hit with the crowd, which would have been tough performing to a mixed crowd of US and Australian personnel.

"Lillye were amazing, they rocked on with some crowd pleasing covers from the likes of AC/DC and mixed some original material as well."

With the crowd drawing closer, Lillye belted out a number of other hit rock covers before closing the performance with one of their own rock songs, accompanied by the sound of Coalition jets taking off in the background for another mission against Daesh.

The Forces Entertainment Tour originated in 1966 as the Forces Advisory Committee on Entertainment (FACE) to entertain troops stationed in Vietnam with the likes of Little Pattie and Col Joye.

The original FACE program continued until 1985 when it was disbanded and then re-established in 1999 due to Australia's involvement in East Timor.

FACE went on to include legendary Australian performers throughout the years such as John Farnham, Kylie Minogue and the Screaming Jets.