Angelz entertain U.S. troops in Iraq

HADITHA, Iraq, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. troops in Haditha, Iraq, have been visited by the dancing group Purrfect Angelz as part of an ongoing program to increase troop morale in the region.

Following in the footsteps of starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, the dancing troupe made up mainly of former cheerleaders and models continued its tradition of performing for troops overseas when it took the stage at the Haditha Dam recently, The New York Times said.

As part of its third tour of Iraq, the Purrfect Angelz attempted to raise troop morale through a combination of dancing and photo opportunities by its attractive female members, the Times said.

Organized for the U.S. government by Pro Sports MVP, the performers' revealing outfits have drawn some criticism by female troops for their objectification of women, but the dancers are generally well-received.

The newspaper said one U.S. Army captain even sent the dancers an e-mail thanking them for "make us forget about our jobs for a little while."