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Major Al Reilly






Major Al Reilly (now a retired Colonel) created the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest in 1953 to recognize talented airmen in various categories ranging from comedy, drama, vocals, gospel, vocal and instrumental groups, country and western, and several others. His idea was to discover the highest caliber of entertainment and provide it for Air Force families throughout the world, thus the phrase “family entertaining family” was first adopted in the new Air Force talent program. Furthermore, Maj. Reilly knew there were many athletic competitions, there was nothing for those who were not athletic.

The Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest provided an excellent setting for the up and coming Air Force entertainers to display their talents.

Major Reilly then selected the top talent from the competition and produced a show with a troupe of the best Air Force entertainers which ultimately became known as TOPS IN BLUE. The debut tour traveled on a grueling trek, giving 230 shows in 235 days. (That breakneck pace continues today. What made that so amazing then is still true today: most shows are not performed at the same location twice. The cast must unpack, setup, do the show, tear down, pack it up and drive/fly to the next place each time.) 





 The first cast entertained over 320,000 active duty military members and their families, firmly planting the TOPS IN BLUE seed and cultivating the deepest dedication by this initial group of performers.


From 1958 through 1971, TOPS IN BLUE teams used other forms of entertainment mediums, other than live tours, to entertain Air Force families stationed throughout the world. 

In 1964, TOPS IN BLUE moved into the movie studio and for the next several years produced films and records for distribution throughout the Air Force. Television productions were taped in 1968 and 1969. But the professional films could not compare to the excitement and far-reaching impact of the live performances.

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The TOPS IN BLUE tour history is filled with endless stories of great audiences, special shows and new experiences. 

It did not take long for the high quality entertainment reputation of TOPS IN BLUE to spread. In 1954, Ed Sullivan recognized this talent by inviting TOPS IN BLUE to perform at Mitchel Air Field, NY on his show “Toast of the Town”. The now well-known Airman Second Class Jerry Van Dyke led the show as Master of Ceremonies before a viewing audience estimated at 15 million. By 1958, nearly one million Air Force family members had experienced TOPS IN BLUE as the tours visited bases around the world.




In 1971, Heinz Johnson, then Recreation Director at Air Force headquarters, gained the support of the Air Force to re-establish the live TOPS IN BLUE tours. 

The long awaited, re-developed TOPS IN BLUE made its live tour debut in 1972 under the direction of then Staff Sergeant Tom Edwards. (Mr. Edwards still leads the organization as a civilian.) The group literally hitch-hiked from one base to the next by catching available aircraft to bases that wanted the show. An overwhelming response poured in from bases throughout the world to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation headquarters, admiring the professionalism of the outstanding Air Force talent.

In that first year back on the road, some 42,000 military members were entertained. 

Since then, the notoriety and quality of the TOPS IN BLUE program has grown and new challenges steadily changed program concepts to meet the changing needs of the Air Force. During the middle Seventies, a critical need developed for TOPS IN BLUE to produce an additional four hour “club” show called “Music Express”, designed especially for entertaining troops in northern tier and isolated locations throughout the winter months.

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As the 80’s progressed there was a need to reach more locations so TOPS IN BLUE was realigned into two touring units to simultaneously cover Air Force bases worldwide. 

The popularity and demand for TOPS IN BLUE performances continually grew to include appearances on numerous television programs, Bob Hope Birthday Specials, 4th of July performances and countless other special events. In the early to mid-80’s TOPS IN BLUE performed in front of the Washington Monument before an audience of 400,000 for our countries’ 4th of July Celebration.




In 1981, TOPS IN BLUE and over 250 volunteers from McGuire AFB, NJ produced the Garden State Bowl half-time show.

This exposure brought national attention to the program and was the precursor for the TOPS IN BLUE Super Bowl XIX Half-Time Show in January, 1985.

Literally hundreds of prior TOPS IN BLUE team members and over 1,400 volunteers from Mather AFB, CA and surrounding bases in northern California joined together to execute one of the finest half-time performances ever presented at a Super Bowl.

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As TOPS IN BLUE entered the 90’s the unit not only entertained our Air Force family but also expanded their role as American and Air Force ambassadors worldwide. 

The two-tour concept of the 80’s evolved into a single team to carry the TOPS IN BLUE message worldwide.

In 1993, at the special request of the U.S. State Department, TOPS IN BLUE traveled for the first time to perform in ten of the former Soviet Union countries.





The global mission of TOPS IN BLUE continued to grow and the program now directly supports overseas deployments and the readiness of our Air Force more than ever before.

Each year during the European portion of their tour the team travels into remote deployed locations such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait in addition to the established bases and sites.

In 1997, TOPS IN BLUE was selected as the official entertainment highlight for special events honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Air Force.

To date, TOPS IN BLUE has traveled over four million miles to military bases throughout the world, performed at six World Fairs, over 100 state fairs and festivals, and performed at countless air shows, military balls and special events.

Although the mission of TOPS IN BLUE is currently multi-faceted in meeting
the needs of the Air Force, it still maintains the original concept of “family entertaining family”.

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