Steering off to the RODEO

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rochelle Clace
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Approximately 400 military members and community leaders gathered to send off Team Little Rock's 2009 Air Mobility Command RODEO teams July 17 at Hangar 276 with a breakfast. 

RODEO 2009 is Air Mobility Command's premier international mobility competition that focuses on readiness, and features airdrops, aerial refueling and other events, which showcases the unique and wide-ranging capabilities of military security forces, aerial port, maintenance and aeromedical evacuation personnel. More than 100 teams and 2,500 Airmen from the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, as well as allied nations, are expected to participate. The teams headed out to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., to compete in the week-long competition. 

Some of the challenges for the teams to tackle include a Fit-to-Fight competition, low-level navigation and airdrop, C-130 pre- and post-flight inspections, aerial port challenge courses, joint airdrop inspection, a combat tactics competition and more. 

The RODEO teams received unrivaled support from the surrounding community. The Airpower Arkansas Committee raised more than $21,000 in cash for the event and more than $5,500 in donations to the Air Force, to support the base's teams. 

"I want each one of the team members to know that the community is 100 percent behind them," said Chris Roberts, Airpower Arkansas Committee chairman. 

Wing leaders from both wings are proud of the RODEO teams and sent them off to McChord AFB with the best of luck and support. 

"This is really a celebration of our Air Force and the competitive spirit we have that leads to the warrior spirit, which makes us the best in the world," said Col. C.K. Hyde, 314th Airlift Wing commander. "The teams represent a unique capability we often take for granted. The competition will demonstrate the skills of our teams and the things they will learn from the international partners and other teams will make us better in the fight for the future." 

The installation commander agreed with the remarks made by Colonel Hyde. 

"I know how hard the teams have worked, and now it's time to go and put that to the test and we will do outstanding," said Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander. "We have an unbelievable situation here at Team Little Rock where we produce Combat Airlift better than anyone else and these are two of the entities that make that up."