The NFL has been very supportive of our military and cheerleaders from many football teams have toured Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Natalie Cahill, from Sault Ste Marie, Mich., poses for a photograph with St. Louis Rams cheerleaders at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Sept. 16. Five Rams cheerleaders completed an eight-day tour of U.S. military installations in Afghanistan, where they met troops, signed autographs and provided evening shows. The Qatar base hosted the expeditionary entertainment group's final performance in Southwest Asia. Photo by Dustin Senger

“We did a lot of stuff and met a lot of great people – it was amazing,” said Megan, St. Louis Rams cheerleader line captain, at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Sept. 16. Five Rams cheerleaders completed an eight-day tour of U.S. military installations in Afghanistan, where they met troops, signed autographs and provided evening shows. The Qatar base hosted the expeditionary entertainment group’s final performance in Southwest Asia.

“It’s nice to come over here and see how it really is,” said Megan, participating in her second military support trip to Afghanistan and Qatar. “It’s very humbling to see how much soldiers sacrifice to be over here.” The cheerleaders were originally scheduled to visit seven military installations in Afghanistan, while based in Kandahar, but force protection issues resulted in three cancelled venues.

Several St. Louis Rams cheerleaders made a trip to Kandahar Airfield. To show their appreciation for those serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the cheerleaders ended their weeklong stay at the airfield by performing several cheerleading routines for the troops. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Robinson

“We got down to four stops because it became too dangerous but we never felt unsafe,” said Megan. “We saw a big red streak while at one forward-operating base, almost like a firework. It did get a little scary since we were just getting on a helicopter. It was eye-opening to see how immune the soldiers were to enemy fire. We always knew we’d be okay.”

“When you’re in a war zone, you never know what to expect,” said Cassidy Cleveland, Rams corporate communications coordinator and tour manager. “We had security everywhere we went. We felt safe the entire time.”

According to Cleveland, the cheerleaders intend to visit service members in Iraq later this year.

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Story by Dustin Senger