CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Brian Howe, former singer for Bad Company, performed with his solo group, The Brian Howe Band, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, March 14.
Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Task Force Marne commanding general, and CSM Jesse Andrews, TF Marne command sergeant major, introduced the band.
"Now you all get to enjoy what I call my music," Cucolo said. "I get to say what I've wanted to say for a long time now. COB Speicher, are you ready to rock?"
The audience erupted as the band made its way on stage. The performance included hits from the English rock band like "Holy Water," "Bad Company" and "Feel Like Making Love." With hands clapping, Howe encouraged TF Marne soldiers and civilians stationed at COB Speicher to sing along with the band.
Whistles and cheers rang out as soldiers sang along with the band and Howe worked the crowd.
"Being here has given me a much truer insight to what's going on," Howe said about being in Iraq. "You see all these war movies on TV and it's fiction. This is real, with real bullets and real bad guys. I also had no idea how well run and orchestrated the U.S. Army is, and how fit you are. You're like one huge camouflage family."
Howe's father, a singer who also performed for troops during World War II, inspired him to do the same. Howe said there are differences between performing in the states compared to Iraq.
"Playing over here, there seems to be a terrible shortage of alcohol," Howe joked. "The audience is a little more restrained, but they are still just as passionate. I feel like we're still in America because the troops are here."
The audience couldn't keep quiet during the drum and guitar solos, and many sang along with the songs.
"The concert was great," said Maj. Scott Hunter, deputy inspector general for United States Division - North. "Concerts are a morale booster. I would like to see more in the future."

Zullig is with the 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 3rd ID PAO.