News>Air Mobility Rodeo 2011: McChord Field's 'combo' team ready to go
Photos
Col. R. Wyn Elder speaks to Airmen during an Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 team introduction July 8, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The combined 62nd Airlift Wing and 627th Air Base Group teams introduced include aircrew, maintainers, finance experts, aerial porters and security forces. Colonel Elder is the 62nd Airlift Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)
McChord Field personnel attend an Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 team introduction July 8, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Teams introduced include aircrew, maintainers, finance experts, aeromedical evacuation, aerial porters and security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)
by Airman 1st Class Leah Young
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
7/20/2011 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 begins here July 24, and the combined 62nd Airlift Wing and 627th Air Base Group team has been hard at work preparing for the event.
"One of the things we might forget about during rodeo is that we are not only a host, but a competitor as well," said Col. R. Wyn Elder, the 62nd AW commander, at a team introduction on July 8. "And our team is ready to win."
The first rodeo was held in 1956 to showcase the reliability and capability of cargo planes. The bi-annual competition has grown to encompass all aspects of Air Mobility Command, including aerial port, aeromedical evacuation, maintenance, security forces, and for the first time, financial management.
"We've been practicing self-aid and buddy care, running through financial scenarios and even some M-16 and M-9 training," said Tech. Sgt. Kerry Robinson, the financial management team chief. "Our team is more than ready."
Each team prepares for different rodeo competitions. The financial management team will compete in performance-based scenarios, small arms and a fitness course. The aerial port team will compete in engine running on and offload, challenge course, 10-pound-capable forklift driving and pallet build-up competitions. The aircrew team will compete in the airdrop, air refueling and joint airdrop inspection events.
"To prepare for rodeo, we did some off-station training last weekend, which included various low-level flying drills and air drops," said Maj. Scott Huffstetler, the aircrew team chief. "My team is prepared, and we're looking forward to the competition."
The maintenance team will be competing in daily pre- and post-flight observations and refueling events. The security forces team will be competing in combat tactics, combat weapons and combat endurance events.
"This team represents you and what this installation does every single day," Colonel Elder said. "Thank you for all the hard work you've done while preparing for this event."
In 2009, the wing rodeo team here was named the best post-flight team, best aerial port challenge course team, best C-17 Globemaster III team, best airdrop team and the best air mobility wing.
Comments
7/24/2011 11:16:36 PM ET Dear Wasting Money - No madness when it comes to Rodeo 2011. Where you need to get a clue on is the value the U.S. military gains in international partnerships in the competition. This is by far something that you cannot put a price on. And if you really want to pick on finance and personnel, maybe you should remember who works your pay and assignments and how important they are when you are deployed. The only madness here is you not understanding how important this is.
Building Partnerships, AMC
7/22/2011 4:21:03 AM ET This is bordering on fraud, waste and abuse. At what point do our senior leaders practice what they preach? This should be cancelled indefinately as should many other fluff events that cost taxpayer dollars.
Wasteful Spending, OCONUS
7/21/2011 6:37:12 PM ET @WP and @Wasting Money - I equate the AMC rodeo to ACCs Red Flag. It's good training for everyone, not just fighter jocks and bomber pilots, like Red Flag. I'm sure the small businesses around McChord appreciate the exercise.
BS, KS
7/21/2011 4:52:05 AM ET Another waste of money by our Air Force leaders. It's a drunkfest that doesn't really measure anything. If you actually believe that Aerial Porters MX and Aircrew do things by the book at deployed locations you need to open your eyes. There are real world Operations that prove what AMC can do and did you really need to include Finance in this? Next it's the Personnelist. Stop the madness.
Wasting Money, AMC
7/20/2011 10:07:14 PM ET My one question is just how much money is this thing cost the Air Force? I mean you have teams from around the world showing up for this thing. Is not the military as a whole facing budget cuts across board to include miltary benifits? Let's take a cue for our past when the Air Force stopped traveling around and doing Air Shows during the Great Depression. Let's put this money being used on this to a better use than bragging rights.
