Late night talk show host David Letterman spent the holidays in the Middle East for the second year in a row. On Christmas Eve, Letterman entertained U.S. troops stationed in Baghdad and visited patients at the military's main combat hospital. Soldiers said Letterman appeared calm and collected in the Iraq capitol: he arrived at the 28th Support Combat Hospital wearing sunglasses, smoking a cigarette, chatting on his cell phone, and holding a cup of coffee. 1st Lt. Michael Gerstmyer told AP, quote, "He acts like he's been here for years."

Late Night With David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer and stage manager Biff Henderson accompanied Letterman on the visit.

Letterman visited troops in Afghanistan during the Christmas holiday last year.