America's North Shore Journal

Anaconda Times

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq – After five weeks of intense competition sponsored by the 332nd Expeditionary Services Squadron, the audience chose from the last six remaining contestants for the coveted title of “Balad Idol” at the H-6 Recreational Center April 24.

Senior Airman Elizabeth Milliken, a munitions systems journeyman with the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, received a thunderous round of applause and standing ovation from the huge crowd after performing Dusty Springfield’s 1968 classic song “Son of a Preacher Man.” “I was very excited to win the contest,” said the new “Balad Idol,” who deployed here from the 31st Maintenance Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy. “It was like being able to put a valuable gift to good use,” she said.

Airman Milliken said she’s been singing since she was four years old, and her mother always put her and her siblings in plays and let them sing in church. “Patsy Cline was the greatest influence on my desire to sing once I got older,” said the Kona, Hawaii native.

The field of contestants during the AEF 5-6 “Balad Idol” competition began with 26 people competing for the honor five weeks ago and was trimmed down each week by a panel of three judges including 2nd Lt. Tiffany Castleberry, Chief Master Sgt. Richard Lander, and Master Sgt. Kevin Dooms. “We’ve had a great field of talented people participating,” said Staff Sgt. Ken Fincham, of the 332nd Expeditionary Services Squadron, and coordinator of the event. “It’s been an extremely competitive event with great support from many people across the base,” said the sergeant deployed here from the 366th Services Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Command Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, joined the panel as a special guest judge for the final night of the competition and offered encouraging comments to each of the contestants.

The evening began with Airman 1st Class Janay James, of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, who performed Gretchin Wilson’s “Redneck Woman,” resulting in motivating comments from all the judges. Next up was Airman Milliken, who sang Faith Hill’s “When the Lights Go Down,” resulting in loud applause from the crowd. “You have an unbelievable voice, and I know everybody was watching you sing,” said Sergeant Dooms from the judge’s panel.

Then it was the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group’s Senior Airman Jamie Ralls-Johnson’s turn to impress the crowd and judges panel. She received a loud, positive response from the crowd after her performance of Shania Twain’s “Feel Like a Woman.” After a brief break in the action due to an indirect fire attack, Mr. Michael Franklin, a contractor on LSA Anaconda, sang the popular Luther Vandross hit “Never Too Much,” which was also quite well received by the judges.

Then another 332 ESFS representative, Master Sgt. Kelly Winston, also honored Luther Vandross, singing his hit song “A House Is Not a Home.” “You’re a talented, talented singer,” Chief Dearduff told her. Closing out the opening round of performances was Army Specialist Joe Bateman, from the 875th Engineering Battalion, who played the guitar as he sang Toby Keith’s “American Soldier,” which provided a patriotic tug to the heartstrings of the audience.

After all six contestants finished their first songs, the judges picked Airman Milliken as a finalist and ended up with a three-way tie for the second finalist, resulting in the need to poll the audience. After a close applause evaluation, the crowd determined Mr. Franklin would be the other finalist in a sing-off against Airman Milliken.

Following a brief intermission, Mr. Franklin took the stage first, bringing his rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” down to the judges table. Then it was time for Airman Milliken’s closing performance, which ultimately clinched the “Balad Idol” title for her.

According to the panel of judges, the finalists were both awesome performers and definitely deserved to be recognized. They felt it would not be right for them to choose the winner, so the decision was again left up to the crowd. A thundering round of applause from a standing crowd confirmed Senior Airman Elizabeth Milliken would be the new “Balad Idol.”