Pfc. Richard Chamberlin, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, poses with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, during their visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 25. The Jills signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 022607-02
Feb. 26, 2007

‘Buffalo Jills’ visit Troops in Baqubah

By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAQUBAH, Iraq (Feb. 25, 2007) -- Most Soldiers stationed in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 don’t wake up to cheerleaders, but that’s exactly what happened to the Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 25.

The National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Buffalo Jills, arrived, via helicopter, in the morning to greet the anxious crowd of Soldiers stationed on Warhorse.

The Jills partook in an autograph session, took pictures and hung out with the Soldiers at the FOB’s Faulkenburg Theater, all in hopes of raising morale.

“We, the Cheerleaders from the Buffalo Jills, are here for a meet-n-greet, signing autographs and hangout with the troops,” said Natale. “We came to support our troops, show them we love and appreciate everything they do for us.”

“[The Jills’ visit] shows there are a lot of people back in the states that support us and care about what we do,” said Pfc. Freddie Scott, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “These cheerleaders really have raised morale out here. It was a good experience.”

“They have shown support by signing autographs and taking pictures with the Soldiers,” added the Tallahassee, Fl., native. “I feel like the really have made an extra effort to show they support us and care.”

Natale added she hoped the visit would make the Soldiers smile, have a good time and give their morale a big boost.

“We really enjoy getting the chance to boost some morale and have fun with the Soldiers,” Natale said. “I love signing autographs and taking pictures with them.”
“To actually be here and see everything, it’s amazing,” she added. “I feel we are doing a good thing. I hope the Soldiers feel the same as well.”

She also said the experience of meeting Soldiers would be one she would never forget about.

“I’m having a great time here [with them],” said Natale. “I hope this does show that we love them and care.”

Natale, along with eight other cheerleaders, also performed a dance routine for the Soldiers. But the routine performed would cost the Soldiers – they also had to dance for the Jills.

“If you make an agreement, you have to live up to it,” said Pfc. Brad Thomas, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 25th Infantry Division.
The Jills said they would dance only if the Soldiers danced as well, said the Kansas City, Mo. native.

And that’s what the Soldiers did – they performed the “Macarena” for the Jills.

“We don’t normally get the chance to have fun like this, so when it comes, you make the most of it,” added Thomas, who got on stage and strutted his stuff.

As their visit came to an end, the Soldiers said their last goodbyes to the Jills, laughing about the experiences they just had. The Soldiers started on their way to work, joking with each other about who was the best and worst dancer amongst them.

“The cheerleaders were really nice,” said Scott. “They were just talking and interacting with the Soldiers like they’ve known them for years. It was a good visit.”

Natale agreed with Scott, the experience was one of the best.

“To see the smiling faces, it really makes us feel amazing,” she said. “I hope we just made the day a little extra special for them.”


Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Warhorse were treated to a visit from the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, Feb. 25. The Jills signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Warhorse were told if they didn’t dance for the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, the Jills would not perform their routine for them. These Soldiers quickly jumped on stage to perform the “Macarena” for the Jills. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Warhorse dance at the Faulkenberg Theater with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, during the Jills’ visit to the FOB, Feb. 25. The Jills also signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Labels: Baqubah, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, FOB Warhorse, photos, Supporting the troops, US Army