For years, Tops in Blue has been derided by airmen who think it's an outdated waste of money that should be shut down. But those complaints have been ignored — until now.
The Air Force announced in a release Monday it is canceling the 2016 season of its traveling song-and-dance troupe to allow "an extended review of the program." The Air Force had directly asked rank-and-file airmen — for the first time — what they think of the group in October.
The results were not kind to Tops in Blue.
The first survey sent to 4,674 people — 2,249 enlisted airmen, 961 officers and 1,464 civilian employees — found "wide awareness of Tops in Blue among airmen," the release said. About half of those surveyed said they would attend one of the concerts in the future.
But that widespread awareness of Tops in Blue apparently hasn't translated to popularity — especially among younger airmen. Just roughly 25 percent of airmen have seen a Tops in Blue show in the last five years, the Air Force said. And airmen age 25 to 34 — who represent about one-third of the overall Air Force population — were least likely to have a positive opinion of Tops in Blue.
The second survey, which collected feedback solicited by major commands and bases, also revealed dissatisfaction with Tops in Blue. In that feedback, 41 percent of airmen recommended ending the program. Another 19 percent were in favor of keeping the program and 17 percent suggested modifying it, the release said.
In light of that feedback, the Air Force said Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh decided Tops in Blue should "take a pause" while the service reassesses its mission, venue, themes and cost.
"The decision to pause and reassess the 2016 Tops in Blue season was a tough one," Air Force personnel chief Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso said in the release. "While airmen's feedback was extremely important, it was just one of many factors considered as we seek to meet our core mission requirements in a time of constrained resources. The Air Force will continue to support our airmen and their families while recognizing their entertainment preferences have changed."
Tops in Blue differs from other Air Force bands in that it is made up of amateur musicians and technicians drawn from the ranks of airmen for one-year stints traveling the world to put on shows for airmen and their families. They perform a mixture of modern pop and rock songs by artists such as Adele and Bruno Mars, as well as classic songs such as the Eagles' "Hotel California" and Aretha Franklin's "Respect." Shows traditionally end with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."
Some airmen feel it's a welcome, family-friendly entertainment. Other airmen, however — including some former members of the band — feel it's a waste of morale, welfare and recreation money. Those airmen say most don't enjoy the programs, and in some cases, they allege airmen have been forced to attend shows.
In 2015, Tops in Blue had a budget of at least $1.3 million, including more than $1 million in MWR funds. That's a nearly 13 percent increase from 2014.
Critics have said in comments on AirForceTimes.com and in other places that MWR funds going to the band could otherwise help fund on-base amenities that are more widely used by airmen and their families, and have been squeezed by budget cuts.
The Air Force also provided $319,000 in taxpayer-provided appropriated funds, and also got $25,000 from a commercial sponsorship.
That budget also does not include the cost of paying the salaries of the 37 members of the band, which comes to at least $1 million more. Those airmen are detailed from their jobs for virtually the entire year.
The Air Force has long touted surveys showing that after Tops in Blue shows, 96 percent of commanders feel it provides and excellent value to airmen and the Air Force, and a 2011 survey of major command commanders that was overwhelmingly positive.
When the Air Force has asked airmen for suggestions on ways it can save money, airmen have regularly suggested cutting Tops in Blue, without success.
In the release, the Air Force said that in suggestions to its Airmen Powered by Innovation program, many airmen asked for the band to be canceled due to the manpower required to put on these shows and the associated costs. James said she often heard airmen's concerns about Tops in Blue's alleged waste during her all-call visits to bases, the release said.
Brig. Gen. Lenny Richoux, director of Air Force Services, said the Air Force "will consider a wide range of options to both entertain and educate airmen." That could include increasingly bringing in outside musical, sports-related and other professional acts both at home stations, and for deployed airmen.
But Tops in Blue could also be modified "to include messages and teaching moments for airmen that talk to the real challenges associated with military life."
"The feedback indicated this was not a cut-and-dry decision," Richoux said. "There are airmen who enjoyed the performance, and we do care about what airmen value. However, considering a changing demand for entertainment combined with constrained resources, it is important that we take a look at alternatives and ask for a broad base of inputs and opinions.
Tops in Blue is now "entertaining troops away from their families during the holidays" until Dec. 27, according to the band's official website. It will then play four shows at Aviano Air Base in Italy, Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, Moron Air Base in Spain and Lajes Field in Portugal between Jan. 4 and Jan. 12. The last scheduled Tops in Blue show will then be at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois on Jan. 15.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
