ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Members of the 89th Airlift Wing are preparing for the biennial 2009 Air Mobility Command RODEO, held from July 19 to 24 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.
The RODEO showcases U.S. and international teams' readiness while focusing on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core capabilities.
At this year's RODEO, more than 100 teams and 2,500 Air Force and Air Force Reserve personnel, as well members of allied nations, are expected to participate, including the Republic of Korea, Germany, Israel and Belgium.
"We're ready. Our team members were handpicked for their dedication and expertise. They are the best of the best for this competition," said Maj. Matthew Vann, 89 AW Operations Group current operations chief and RODEO team chief. "The [operations] tempo is high for us. The RODEO is a time for us to be able to compete against teams from around the world and sharpen our skills even further. It also gives us a great opportunity to recruit new people to the 89 AW."
The 89 AW will be competing in three events: Operational Support Aircraft/Very Important Person Special Airlift Mission, Fit-to-Fight and, new to the RODEO this year, the Flight Attendant competition.
In preparation for the RODEO, the 89 AW team has planned several ground training events and practice flights. The ground training will focus on competition rules and taxi routes for block times and the crew will use the flight training to fine tune their spot landings and block times.
The OSA/VIPSAM team, made up of members from the 99th Airlift Squadron, will compete in precision instrument approaches, landings and precision block times. The OSA/VIPSAM team includes Maj. Mike Dellert, 99 AS pilot; Maj. Mike Eaton, 99 AS pilot; Tech. Sgt. Curtis Christian, 99 AS flight engineer; Tech. Sgt. Emily Henyon, 99 AS flight attendant; and Staff Sgt. Michael Pena, 99 AS communications systems operator.
Two 89 AW teams will be contenders in the Flight Attendant competition, where participants will race in timed evacuation exercises involving various briefings, emergency equipment and safety procedures. The C-40 flight attendant team, comprised of members from the 1st Airlift Squadron, includes Master Sgt. Monique Townsend, Tech. Sgt. Bret Baker and Staff Sgt. Joel Rose. The 99 AS C-20 and C-37 flight attendant team is made up of Staff Sgt. Andrew Gajkowski and Tech. Sgt. Curtis Christian.
The Fit-to-Fight competition is based on the USAF physical fitness program and will consist of a 1.5 mile run, situps and pushups.
In 2007, the 89 AW took home the "Best OSA/VIPSAM Crew" award. They also earned second place among 55 competing teams in the Fit-to-Fight competition, missing first place by a mere one quarter of one point.
The RODEO competition has been around since October 1956, when 13 troop carrier wings of the Air Force Reserve Command's predecessor, Continental Air Command, sent crews to participate in the Reserve Troop Carrier RODEO at Bakalar AFB, Ind. In April 1962, the Military Air Transport Service held a MATS-wide rodeo for the first Active Duty airdrop competition at Scott AFB, Ill. By 1979, the RODEO was expanded to include international air mobility partners.
The biennial RODEO tests an aircrews' flight and ground skills, as well as the related skills of special tactics, security forces, aerial port operations, aeromedical evacuation and maintenance team members. The RODEO is considered a valuable joint and combined training for all participants, while providing a competitive environment as teams set out on their quest for excellence.
The 89 AW is holding a RODEO send-off event July 17 in the Bldg. 1658 auditorium. For more information, contact Major Vann at Matthew.Vann-02@afncr.af.mil.