Roaring engines from C-17 Globemaster III aircraft were drowned out by thunderous laughter from the thousands of servicemembers and guests who came out to enjoy the comedic stylings of NBC's The Tonight Show host Jay Leno, in Hangar 4, May 7.

Leno's performance, which was preceded by a routine from Reserve Generation Band of the Air Force Reserve, was part of the Tour for the Troops concert series, which visits military installations around the world.

"I've been doing these shows for a long time," said the Emmy Award-winning comedian upon his arrival to McChord Field. "(The military) is the best audience in the world. I'm here for them."

Leno is an awesome supporter of the Reserve and the military overall, said Lt. Col. Bryan Winter, Air Force Reserve Western Recruiting Squadron commander out of March Air Reserve Base, Calif. The event itself is a Get One Now event, meaning we are promoting awareness of the Air Force Reserve.

About 25 Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing and their "Get One" referrals got a chance to meet Jay Leno backstage as a perk for their participation in the Get One Now Program.

Some servicemembers felt privileged to have someone of Leno's stature take time to give credit to those serving in the military.

"I appreciated how he was able to sustain such laughter for a large crowd," said Capt. Vanessa Balint, 446th Force Support Squadron director of operations. "I figured I would laugh about half the time, but I ended up laughing or crying laughing 90 percent of the time."

Although Jay Leno's comedy was appreciated, Reservists appreciated his time as well.

"Having someone like Mr. Leno give his time to perform at no cost to the military community gives me a sense of pride that what we do is noticed and appreciated," said Master Sgt. John Adams, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Blue AMU section chief. "It's a big commitment for him to take time from his daily life to perform shows like this. The speaks to Mr. Leno's character."

Though everyone came out to enjoy Leno's polished stand-up routine, his take on the follies of life served more than one purpose. It helped create awareness of the importance of retention and recruiting play in the day-to-day world of military life. McChord Field will not be Leno's only stop, nor has he been the only entertainer Air Force Reserve Recruiting has brought to military members.

Artists such as Kid Rock, Carlos Mencia, Usher, Ludacris and other artists have also been performing as part of Tour for the Troops as part of a thank you to the Reserve, Guard, and active-duty servicemembers for doing what they do, said Chief Master Sgt. Glen Barnes, Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service chief of advertising.