DVIDS – News – Armed Forces Entertainment Brings Laughter to Camp Buehring

In the warm and dusty evening air Soldiers bustle into the spotlit entrance of a tall, tan multipurpose tent. Chuckling and loud talking accompany songs like American Pie, Love Shack, and a score of American Rock Ballads. Having labored all day in 112-degree heat, troops eagerly awaited the start of the ‘Operation Laughter’ comedy show hosted by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) on Aug. 30, 2025, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

According to their website, AFE’s mission is to “deliver world-class entertainment to U.S. troops and their families overseas, strengthen their resilience, boost morale, and contribute to readiness.” Tracing their roots to “Camp Shows” that were booked to amuse Troops during World War II, AFE was formally established September 13, 1951. Today AFE continues to put on shows in countries in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Pacific, the western hemisphere, and southwest Asia. By bringing the ‘Operation Laughter’ tour to Camp Buehring, AFE continues to honor its mission while offering some movements of levity for Soldiers.

“The comedy show was a really good outlet for Soldiers to laugh and have a good time.” said David Shaffer, a religious affairs specialist deployed to Camp Buehring. “I can’t speak for anyone else, but my morale was boosted.”

‘Operation Laughter’ was an overwhelming success, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 150 Soldiers who actively participated and laughed the entire night. The three featured Comedians, Ron Morey, Wyatt Cote, and Josh Novey, kept the energy high, and audience engaged.

“They let us know they were excited to be there, and they tailored their acts, so we felt included,” said Emily Ropiak, a physical therapist assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

First up was Ron Morey, who also served as the emcee for the night. He masterfully used a variety of voices that ranged from an eleven-year-old version of himself to his father to the Commander and Chief, President Donald Trump, as he hilariously gave insights on American culture and generational differences. The audience enjoyed learning about his adventures in Arizona and stories about visiting his family in Scotland.

Second was Californian, Wyatt Cote who demonstrated sharp crowdwork skills and witty storytelling to describe his take on travel, pop-culture, family, and the world of online dating. Soldiers roared as he described how he navigated traveling with a less popular airline and dating advice he received from his sister.

The final comedian of the night was Army-veteran, Josh Novey, who comically detailed his time in the military. His stories on Basic training, Army medicine, traversing the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and his experiences in war, quickly connected with the crowd. Novey’s jokes about the United States Air Force, Army culture, teasing of the Camp Buehring leadership who were present, and advice to young Troops, had the venue shaking with laughter.

All three comedians had different approaches to their sets but presented a unified show that showed gratitude for the commitment to duty of the audience, while simultaneously providing a much-needed mental break from the demands of military life.

“Each [comedian] made sure to thank us for our service,” said Ropiak. “They did a really good job of making sure we knew people in the states are thinking about us. It was an awesome break, and I enjoyed doing something different, besides the routine events that happen out here.”

As the night came to an end, Soldiers were able to speak to the performers as they exited the tent. Their smiles were wide as they returned to their duties or barracks for the night and the impact of ‘Operation Laughter’ was noticeable. The show had boosted the morale of those serving and gave them a memorable experience deployed. Through relatable humor, quick-witted observations, and a genuine appreciation for military service, Morey, Cote, Novey, and AFE delivered an amazing evening of much-needed laughs.