BAGHDAD (Defense Media Activity) -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his senior enlisted advisor, Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell, arrived in Iraq on Christmas Eve to bring a taste of home to deployed service members.
They led a USO troupe that included country music stars Kellie Pickler and her husband, Kyle Jacobs; chef Robert Irvine and his wife, wrestling superstar Gail Kim; and the "Roastmaster General," comedian Jeff Ross.
For Pickler and Jacobs, the visit was their 11th USO trip. The other members also are USO veterans.
SECOND USO TRIP THIS MONTH
It was the second USO trip in December for Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, but it was his first Christmastime USO trip.
"I thought it was important to be out there on the holiday itself," the general said in a short interview prior to arriving. "All of the USO shows have great people, and we appreciate them going out, but for the folks that came out this time, they gave up their family time over the holidays. For them, to do this is really special."
Roughly 4,800 U.S. troops are in Iraq supporting Iraqi security forces as they take on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Over the past year, Iraqi forces -- which include Kurdish peshmerga -- have achieved notable successes, including the liberation of Baiji, Fallujah and Ramadi. In Syria, indigenous forces are driving toward ISIL's so-called capital of Raqqa.
And now the battle is on in Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. U.S. forces, working with coalition allies, provide support, air power and advice to Iraqi formations, and the effort is succeeding, Dunford said.
SAYING THANKS
The USO troupe is a way of saying thanks to the service members and reminding them that Americans remember and appreciate their sacrifices, the chairman said.
"During the holidays, everyone wants to be with their families," Dunford said. "But there are families of blood -- moms, dads, wives, husbands, kids -- and there is the family that grows in units."
"If you are in a unit, that's your family, too," he continued. "If you can't be with your blood family, the next best group of people to be with is your unit. It's your family away from home."
USO CEO and President J.D. Crouch II is also accompanying the troupe. Even during the holidays, he said, he had no trouble getting performers for the tour.
"Kellie and Kyle immediately said yes," he said. "They were on board from the start. Jeff, Robert and Gail also cleared their schedules in record time to be a part of this."
IMPORTANT TRIP
Troxell called the troupe's holiday visit incredibly important. The service members are serving in harsh places, he said, making a tremendous sacrifice to further the campaign plan against ISIL.
"They are keeping America safe," he added. "It's a way to tell them that their service is appreciated. The chairman and I really wanted to come spend Christmas with those who are really getting after the defense of our country -- that's those who are serving in harm's way."
Both Dunford and Troxell have been in the shoes of the service members they are visiting, missing numerous Christmases with their families while doing the nation's business.
Troxell recalled the first Christmas he missed when he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"I left the house on the morning of 19 December 1989 and told my wife I would see her at noon to take her shopping," he said.
"I didn't show back up until Jan. 11. I got alerted, marshaled, deployed, and parachuted into Panama City. That was the first one of many Christmases missed."
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