Stepping onto the stage

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Filled with talent and drive, one Laughlin Airman is preparing to step into the limelight as a member of the Air Force's 2013 Tops in Blue cast.

Staff Sgt. Alli Haynes, 47th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, learned Feb. 19 that she has been selected to join the world famous Air Force musical troupe as a singer for their 60th anniversary tour.

"My confidence had been waning and going back and forth each day as I waited for the news," said Haynes. "I wasn't sure I would be selected, but when I saw the wing commander I knew I had made it."

Haynes has served at Laughlin for more than four years helping to ensure flight equipment is fully functional; a critical job for Laughlin's pilot training mission. Most know Haynes from her duties as a member of Laughlin's Honor Guard, but few expected her to be a singer.

"When people found out I had my first audition in 2010, everyone I knew stared at me and said, 'wait, you can sing,?'" said Haynes. "I remember wondering to myself, 'I think I can sing, or at least I hope I can.'"

Her dream to become a member of Tops in Blue began rather unexpectedly. After speaking with a former coworker in March of 2009 who thought it would be fun to audition, Haynes found herself filling out the required forms and before year's end, putting together an audition video for her first attempt, she explained.

"I didn't expect anything from it, but as I filled out the forms, I started to think that maybe this was something I could do," said Haynes.

In early 2010, Haynes went to her first live audition at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The audition itself was a grueling 10 day endeavor that Haynes describes as diet Tops in Blue, because it gave her a chance to see the controlled chaos that made up stage life.

"It was a very long and stressful week getting a small dose of what they do and what I might be joining," said Haynes.

Unfortunately Haynes did not succeed in her first attempt, but considered her trials a learning experience that would guide her through her future attempts.

"It was an eye-opening experience, and I learned a lot," said Haynes.

After her coworkers got over the initial shock of learning they had a talented singer in their shop, life went back to normal until Haynes started getting requests to sing at wing events.

"It was six or seven months later when someone asked me to sing at the wing recognition ceremony," said Haynes. "I was super nervous, but I did well."

Soon Haynes became a Laughlin staple as she sang at more and more events. This constant activity served her well, because her second attempt at joining Tops in Blue in December 2010 proved successful, but because of manning issues, Haynes was not able to participate.

The third time proved to be a charm because Haynes is now preparing to begin a year living life on the road. However, she must first leave Laughlin for her new duty station at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., before returning to San Antonio in early March to begin training with Tops in Blue.

"It hasn't hit me yet that this is all real," said Haynes. "Maybe when I leave Laughlin or maybe when I get to San Antonio it will but not yet."

Haynes has a busy schedule ahead of her with her first performance already scheduled for memorial weekend at the San Antonio River Walk.

"I'm excited; it's going to be a long intense year, and I'm ready to get going," said Haynes.

To people at Laughlin, Haynes will always be an inspiration.

"She is the definition of hard work and determination," said Col. Tom Murphy, 47th Flying Training Wing commander. "She never gave up and has always reached for the top, and that's a lesson we can all take to heart."