News>Aerial porters participate in forklift driving course for Rodeo 2011
Photos
An Airman signals 'all clear' to an umpire during a forklift driving course, July, 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
An Airman performs a safety inspection before participating in a forklift driving course July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
An Airman loads a wooden horse holding a pitcher of water during a forklift driving course July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
A forklift driver unloads a wooden horse holding a pitcher of water during a forklift driving course July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
Two Airmen unload a pallet into a pallet stacker during a forklift driving course July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
Two umpires brief two Airmen participating in a forklift driving course July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
Two Airmen work together to complete a forklift driving course July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)
by Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi
Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 Public Affairs
7/26/2011 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASH. -- Mobility Airmen tested their speed, precision and teamwork skills while driving a forklift through an obstacle course here July 25.
The 10K forklift obstacle course was laid out with more than 20 three-foot orange cones and a pallet next to a pallet stacker.
"The 10K forklift driving course is designed to evaluate how well Airmen handle the stress of maneuvering through tight spaces with a delicate load, efficiently and while ensuring safety precautions are strictly enforced," said Master Sgt. Matt Sollars, the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron NCO in charge of cargo processing. "We tried to simulate a deployed environment, where space to travel for a forklift is limited and cargo must be transported in a timely matter."
Approximately 25 air mobility crews including two international crews, Belgium and Pakistan are competing in the event - each with one two-man team.
Airmen begin with 500 points available. They then choose between a newer or older model forklift before completing a safety inspection to ensure the vehicle is safe and ready to operate.
"Safety is our number one priority especially when handling heavy machinery, which can be dangerous if used improperly," Sollars said. "These forklifts are designed to hold 10,000 pounds and when loaded, it's hard to see what is in front of you."
After the inspection, one Airman operated the forklift while the other directed the movements of the driver.
"Teamwork and great communication is the key to success for this event," said Senior Airman Jeremy Jweinat, a participant for the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii team. "You have to trust your wingman and learn to work well together."
After the timer started, the forklift loaded a wooden horse, which resembled a hurdle with a stuffed horse head on one end and black horse hair on the other. On top of the horse sat a pitcher full of water. The objective was to transport the horse while weaving through the cones without touching them or spilling the water. For each cone touched and each inch of water missing, points were deducted.
After the horse was unloaded, both Airmen competing switched positions. The new driver then loaded a pallet and placed it gently inside of a pallet stacker. The last step was to drive backwards through the cones and cross the finish line.
"It is important to train our Airmen and teach them that the right way to do something is the only way," Sollars said. "We have to be precise when handling cargo. If you receive a package in the mail and the contents inside are broken or damaged, they have to send it back, which costs time and money. We do training like this event to ensure we do our job the right way, the first time."
According to Jweinat, the course was similar to the high stress of being deployed.
"When you're driving or directing the forklift during the course, there are guys who have been doing this for years who are watching your every move," he said. "It's stressful and fast paced, but it's important to remain focused like in any deployment."
The event was part of Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world.
Comments
7/27/2011 4:57:43 PM ET wearing ball caps in uniform-must be our new AF tradition we're overdue for a new one.
Steve, Midwest
7/27/2011 4:55:50 PM ET I want the Air Force News Agency to come and take pictures of me sitting on my keister while others work tirelessly to make the mission. I am formally making this request because let's face the facts, doing nothing that contributes to the mission and spending money is what the Air Force is apparently all about.
Same, Here
7/27/2011 3:08:47 PM ET You know what? Yes this may be morale boosting, may be somewhat beneficial, but ultimately it's a waste of money in today's crippled economy. We are making cuts in more important areas, messing with people's medical benefits, etc., and it would make more sense to cut budget, starting with the least important things out of the important things, to put it that way.
Chris, JBSA
7/27/2011 2:03:28 PM ET Is everyone who reads this site under the age of 30? Until 2005, baseball caps were the standard headgear for utility uniforms in the USAF. So for those who keep asking that question, it is not something new. Go ask your Chief about it.
Lett, robins afb
7/27/2011 1:52:29 PM ET As a SNCO, you should also know that any base commander can authorize a supplement to the AFI. And because this is a MAJCOM event, the headgear likely was authorized at a higher level. If you don't get that as a SNCO you should return the stripe. BTW, I have 26 years of USAF service and I have been the project manager for these type events at the HQ USAF level. So I speak of that which I know and I have done. The image we are presenting is one that dates back over 40 years. Unit caps were once the norm to show unit pride.
Big Poppa, robins afb
7/27/2011 1:50:22 PM ET Funny, I never seem to hear anyone complaining when pictures are posted with pilots flying and wearing ballcaps.
TSI , SP
7/27/2011 1:26:19 PM ET MSgt C, as a SNCO you should have been around long enough to know that at events like this exercise judges and EET are often allowed to wear a different cover. It helps participants ID those in positions of authority. These type events promote unit and job pride that is well worth any cost. The people on the teams work really hard to become the best at what they do and that carries over into their daily duties. The Thunder Birds fall into a similar group and purpose.
Big Poppa, Robins AFB
7/27/2011 1:14:41 PM ET Good old AMC. Seems AFI 36-2903 goes out the window for this event.
No more, PNW
7/27/2011 8:58:55 AM ET Well I do understand that as a SNCO it is my responsibility to enforce standards. Putting a picture of military members wearing unauthorized uniform items on an official news site is wrong. People outside the Air Force come to this site and read the stories and they see NCOs and SNCOs wearing ball caps in uniform. Just think of the image we are presenting with that.
MSgt C, Lackland AFB
7/27/2011 2:05:19 AM ET @ Someone that thinks they get it I would have the same feeling if Afghanistan were to participate. These are great morale building events but in our current fiscal situation we must look at the dollars and cents. Let these morale events happen locally. To bring together units from around the globe to play games may have some training value but that training could be done locally without the added cost. Traditions are a wonderful thing but many times common sense should be used to see when something is outdated.
Paul, Afghanistan
7/26/2011 10:08:38 PM ET Seriously! For those of us not in the AMC world what's up with the ballcaps?
Caveman, Bedrock
7/26/2011 7:14:05 PM ET Someone Who Gets It: you still didn't address any of Paul or MSgt C's specific concerns, which tells me that you actually don't Get It and can't justify this blatant waste of money, manpower, resources or disregard for AFI. Try again.
Ken, Florida
7/26/2011 3:23:25 PM ET First - to Paul in Afghanistan - thanks for your service in the deployed environment. Not understanding the whole concept behind Rodeo means you know nothing about international partnerships. Would you say the same thing if the Afghan air force was participating too? To MSgt C and Titan - you should know better and understand what the event is about and dig deeper into your Internet web research. Since this is a special Air Force event with 3,000-plus participants, I know the value of Rodeo without nitpicking what is seen in a few pics.
Someone Who Gets It, AMC
7/26/2011 3:08:53 PM ET Is there any reason this couldn't take place at a JRTC or Eagle Flag where we already have this going on and have bare base living accomadations and stages for all the crews? This would cut down on costs. In addition there would be less of a party atmosphere and more of a training and learning environment.
Ex-mobility, MS
7/26/2011 1:25:40 PM ET It is a simulated deployed environment so they must be simulating ABU caps and AFI compliance.
Titan 63, SS Minnow
7/26/2011 8:54:10 AM ET I must be missing something in AFI 36-2903 paragraph 6.2.10 that talks about who is allowed to wear organizational caps with ABUs. None of the hats in the pictures are red so they must not be Red Horse or combat arms. Hmmm
MSgt C, Lackland AFB
7/26/2011 8:03:41 AM ET What a great use of taxpayer money. I guess there is no way we should consider flying a crew of people from Hawaii to Washington state to drive around in a forklift carrying a fake horse. Fraud, Waste and Abuse.
