Bliss n Eso - Afghanistan Tour (September 2013) - Video
PUBLISHED:  Apr 24, 2014
DESCRIPTION:
The Sydney hip-hop trio were invited by Forces Entertainment, a specialised unit of the ADF, who coordinated a specialised trip to the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO) which also included comedians Doug Chappel Jr. and Nick Cody alongside Brisbane four-piece band, The Bertie Page Clinic. The acts were tasked with providing morale-boosting entertainment to deployed multinational forces.

Originally set to take place in 2012, the trip was cancelled at the last minute due to an escalation in violence and increased threat level. The opportunity was then presented to the group again in 2013 following a conversation between the bands co-manager, Adam Jankie and Lt Col Ian Robinson (Commanding Officer -- Forces Entertainment). It would turn out to be the final entertainment mission into Afghanistan prior to the withdrawal of the majority of Australian forces.

Clouded in secrecy from day one for operational security reasons, the band and support crew started their journey with basic training, fit-out and force preparation at Sydney's iconic Randwick Air Force Base. Two days later they would find themselves on an unmarked aeroplane full of defence personnel heading to undisclosed location in the Middle East. 14 hours later they landed at Al Minhad Air Force Base in the United Arab Emirates for further preparation and briefings prior to their 7-day trip into Afghanistan.

The week-long trip saw Bliss n Eso perform intimate concerts for troops across four military bases including the Australian run Camp Holland in Tarin Kowt, Kandahar Air Force Base as well as a NATO base in Kabul. Performing with a very limited production and makeshift stages, Bliss n Eso and their fellow entertainers provided a much-needed boost in morale for Australian and multinational forces deployed throughout Afghanistan.

"We don't support war or conflict, what we do support are our fellow human beings. These guys and girls who are stationed all around the world are our fans and due to the nature of their work they don't get to see our shows back home. To be able to play to them in a location like Afghanistan was a fulfilling and eye opening experience, and likely something we will never be able to do again." -- Bliss (Jonathan Notley)
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