314th C-130E: Containing the RODEO legacy

Staff Sgt. Luke Masterson, a 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the serviceability of a fire extinguisher on a C-130 during a pre-flight inspection in preparation for the Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 18, 2011, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. For this year’s competition More than 150 teams and 3,000 people from the Air Force, and Air Force Reserve, as well as allied nations, are expected to participate. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank)

314th C-130E: Maintaining the RODEO legacy

Published July 21, 2011
By 2nd Lt. Mallory Glass
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- A rock star C-130E aircrew from the 314th Airlift Wing departed today to display the wing's mission, to train the world's best C-130 airlifters to fly, fight, and win, at Air Mobility Command's RODEO at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The team was chosen based on the "whole airman concept," said Maj. Jacob Sheddan, 314th Airlift Wing RODEO team chief. "The crew consists of proven performers who consistently accomplish mission. Both of the pilots attending, Maj. John Kilker and Capt. Nathan Powell, are extremely skilled in their craft. Their weapons officer training will provide the team with an extra edge in showcasing our C-130 excellence."

The 314th C-130 Legacy team will be participating in the following events for the titles of best: air mobility wing, C-130 aircrew, airdrop crew, short field landing crew, fit-to-fight team, joint airdrop inspection, and airdrop teams.

The 314th has the distinct honor to showcase the heritage and legacy of the C-130. "Other than Tech. Sgt. William Jackson, this is the first RODEO for eight of our crew members," said Maj. John Kilker, 314th Airlift Wing Legacy C-130 team chief. "However, we are honored to carry on the Herk's legacy by flying the only U.S. Air Force C-130E and oldest USAF C-130 at RODEO."

One of the key elements of RODEO is opportunity to build and sustain partnerships with the foreign teams and the civic leaders from the Little Rock community who will also be attending, said Sheddan. "We train the world's best C-130 airlifters; everyone starts here," he went on to say. "It is important to show to our wing, the local community and all of AMC and Air Education and Training Command that not just the 314th but all of Team Little Rock are the best combat airlifters."

The 314th C-130E aircrew consists of the following Airmen: Maj. John Kilker, 314th Operations Group; Maj. John Fay, Capt. Kevin Eklund, Capt. Nathan Powell, Master Sgt. Randall Wheatley, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Holloway, Tech. Sgt. William Jackson and Staff Sgt. David Sanders, all from the 62nd Airlift Squadron; and Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lynn.