FORT RILEY, Kan. - Fuelers from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division participated in a Forward Arming and Refueling Point Regulated On-site Demonstrated Efficiency Objective (FARP RODEO) Oct. 12 at Marshall Army Airfield.

The two-part event was a training exercise and a competition between four teams that focused on the set up and use of the various types of aircraft refueling systems available in the brigade. Each team had to demonstrate their proficiency at five stations that simulated common FARP procedures.

“It’s training that we do at our company levels,” said Cpl. Kimberly Walker, a petroleum supply specialist with Company E, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st CAB.

Familiarity with the FARP methods combined with varied experiences of the Soldiers contributed to the overall strength of each team, according to participants. Even Soldiers who were relatively new to their units were able to contribute knowledge to their groups.

“We have a few people who are fresh from (Advanced Individual Training) so it’s kinda fresh in their brain,” said Spc. Tamaesha Logan, a petroleum supply specialist with Company E, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st CAB.

Logan said that everybody contributed and learned something from the event. No matter what the task, someone on the team was able to teach the others what to do.

“A lot of the strengths I’ve seen in teams is the motivation, the (willingness) to work together and teach each other along the way,” said Sgt. 1st Class Caleb Whitaker, a platoon sergeant with Troop E, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st CAB.

The event finished with an award ceremony at the end of the day with the team representing 2-1 GSAB taking home the trophy. Additional competitions are expected in the future to give the units another chance to secure a RODEO victory.

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