507th teams prepare for Rodeo 2009

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  507th Air Refueling Wing members will head off July 19 to 24 to participate in Air Mobility Command's 2009 Rodeo competition at McChord AFB, Washington. 

Four aircrew members and 12 maintenance members will represent the wing against more than 40 teams and the estimated 2,500 participates from the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and selected foreign countries. 

Additionally five members from the 72nd Aerial Port Squadron and four members from the 507th Security Forces Squadron will be participating in the competition. Col. Michael Mahon, 507th ARW vice commander, will represent the Wing Commander and Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Ortiz will serve as an umpire on the AMC team. 

The last AMC Rodeo competition took place in July 2007. According to Maj. Marvin Ashbaker, 507th Operations Support Flight and Team Chief for the 507th team, the 507th has not participated in this competition in nearly a decade. 

"Rodeo is an international competition and focuses on readiness," the major said. He stated the event features airdrops, aerial refueling and other events which showcase the unique and wide-ranging capabilities of military security forces, and aerial port, maintenance and aeromedical evacuation personnel. Rodeo 2009 will include over 50 competition events covering air mobility flight and ground specialties. Aircrew events focus on combat skills. 

Historically, 10 international teams compete with an additional 10 nations sending observers. Frequent participants include: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. 

Maintenance events involve aircraft inspections, timely repair, and aircraft launch and recovery. Aerial Port events concentrate on speed and accuracy of loading and unloading cargo. Security Forces events include a combat endurance course, and rifle and handgun competitions. In accordance to AMC rules, wing members began practicing for the competition May 1. 

Rodeo provides a forum for U.S. and international teams to share the best of tactics and techniques, further preparing mobility forces for future engagements. An example of successfully sharing tactics and techniques can be found in humanitarian operations by the Pakistani Air Force immediately after the severe earthquake of 2005. The PAF observed airdrop capabilities at Rodeo 2005, and in fact stayed past rodeo to learn more about airdrop. 

"Historically the lessons learned at this completion justify Rodeo," Major Ashbaker said. "It ensures we train the same way we fight and allows us to measure our improvements in tactics, techniques and procedures. Rodeo also allows our Airmen to become familiar with our allies and joint partners."