Network actress visits troops in Persian Gulf

Julia Ling of ‘Chuck’ helps raise morale abroad

by Josie Cellone


After an eight-day tour with the USO in the Persian Gulf, network actress Julia Ling (Anna Wu on "Chuck") shared her personal photo album with Milspouse.com.



Ling traveled with "Napoleon Dynamite" star Efren Ramirez (Pedro) in Bahrain, Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates from July 20-28. They ate breakfast with the troops, shot pool and signed autographs during dozens of meet and greets.

“In turn, they’re like heroes to us, so Efren and I had them sign our shirts too,” Ling said. “It was touching to meet the troops out there and know what they go through.”

SITCOM SALUTE
Ling, who plays a gothic computer nerd on NBC’s sci-fi comedy “Chuck,” said the best part of touring with the USO was just talking to the troops and learning about their lives.

“I asked them about their jobs, what their days were like and what living on a ship was like,” Ling said. “They told me what it was like to see the horizon when the submarine comes to the surface. They let me climb in a helicopter. They shared a lot about their lives.”

GIRL POWER
An accomplished martial artist whose skills have been featured in “Chuck” webisodes, Ling joked that she didn’t spar with the troops – but they did let her hold an M60.

“I would like to try firing some of the weapons if I was ever allowed,” said Ling, who’s as spunky as her character.

She’s no novice. Her resume lists her ability to “disassemble and reassemble a HK-USP 9 mm compact blindfolded” – a tidbit that landed her a job once just because the director loved the confession.

CAMO CAMEO
During those eight days on tour, Ling said she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I really wanted to show the troops how much they meant to me,” she said. “There are a lot of people back home that love them and want them to come home safely.”

Ling, who was engaged to a Solider, said she can relate to the wives and families back home who sacrifice so much.

“No matter how hard it is at home you still have to have that positive attitude and remind them that they’re loved,” she said.

Ling starts filming season three of “Chuck” this month and will star in the upcoming movie “High School.”