Loaded, ready to rock RODEO

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 41st Airlift Squadron's Rodeo team is ready to put their skills to the test and bring home the trophy at this year's Air Mobility RODEO 2011 competition from July 24 - 29, 2011, at McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

"I think we're all kind of competitive," said Capt. Butch Brennan, 41st AS aircraft commander and Rodeo team co-pilot. "[We're looking forward to] seeing how we measure up to other bases and we think we'll measure up well."

The team beefed up their RODEO preparations by adding flights to their normal training schedule.

"We've done about two and a half local flights along with our normal training," said Brennan. The team also recently delivered supplies to McChord for their maintenance team, giving them the opportunity to become familiar with the flying environment there, he added.

During local flights, the team practiced techniques including reverse taxiing, combat offload and engine running onload.

"Every day this past week, we practiced together ... we talked about what to expect and what our game plan is going to be for each event," said Brennan.

The group dynamic within the team comes from a mix of personalities and experience levels.

To fill the loadmaster slots, the team sought out the most experienced members, at the time, in the squadron with the most hours and the highest qualification, said Tech. Sgt. Brian Digsby, a 41st AS instructor loadmaster.

"They were asking for a mix of people who will get along together and work together," Brennan said. "It's an honor to be selected. It's a pretty good feeling because they're a great bunch of guys and I know we're going to have a good time and do well."

In addition to Brennan and Digsby, the team includes Capt. Cory Waldroup, RODEO team aircraft commander; Capt. Darin Boen, RODEO team PADS operator; and Staff Sgt. T.J. Grover, loadmaster.