RODEO results are in

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Warriors of the North came home with two trophies and many stories to tell Saturday after the week-long RODEO competition held at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

Competition events started almost as soon as the team arrived July 21. The fit to fight competition, which tested the team in push-ups, sit-ups and a mile and a half run, was the first competition the Warriors of the North participated in. Ten Grand Forks AFB members ran the race they've been training for months to perform.

The team came out victorious over most of their competitors, with a second place win in Fit to Fight.

With about 2,500 participants and observers, this year's RODEO competition was the largest in history.

"The fact that we had so many allies and friends that came to join us in this great competition, I can't tell you what that means to me as the leader of U.S. mobility air forces," said Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, AMC commander, during the opening ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Kip Self, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, was the commander of this year's RODEO competition and started the week's events with the tradition of trading the first coin.

The Warriors of the North represented Grand Forks AFB with a 24-member team, which included the aircrew, 10 maintainers, three security forces members, two tent hosts, a public affairs representative and three civic leaders.

July 23, 2007
As the Grand Forks maintainers recovered from their 14-hour workday, Security Forces had the first of their three competitions.

The combat tactics competition tested the team in their ability to protect U.S. and ally assets and personnel. The team survived simulated mortar attacks and small arms fire, while protecting U.S. medical personnel and the medical supplies they carried.

"It was very challenging and a realistic scenario," SFS team lead Staff Sgt. Jarod Cappon said. "It threw a lot of curves at us and made us think on our toes."

July 24, 2007
Tuesday brought little rest for the weary Warriors, but their hard-charging attitude brought out their best.

The maintainers and aircrews prepared for another flying competition Friday, while the security forces team readied themselves for the combat weapons course.

The combat weapons course put security forces members through added stress to test their ability to accurately fire in less than desirable conditions. The three Grand Forks members came in fifth out of 34 teams.

"It was terribly exhausting. I've never been that physically stressed while performing a weapons course in my entire life," Sergeant Cappon admitted.

Later that day, Col. Diane Hull, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, arrived to a team of excited Warriors, ready to show her what they've been up to.

"The team has been training hard and working long hours for this moment. I'm very proud of our Warriors of the North, and I know they're true winners, with or without trophies," said Colonel Hull.

She didn't have to wait long to see awards start to come in, though. The maintenance team was awarded their first RODEO trophy for best KC-135 preflight team. The team was unable to accept the trophy during the award presentation while they worked on the jet, so Colonel Hull and a small group of team members made a surprise appearance and accepted the trophy on the maintainers' behalf.

"This is just the first [trophy]," exclaimed Capt. Joe Cole, officer in charge of the maintenance team. "We know how good we are; now everyone else does, too."

Back 'at the ranch,' as it was commonly known, the day was far from over for Airmen, family members, retirees, international participants and observers. The smells of flaming grills, the sound of live bands, music from tents, tiki torches and, of course, a mechanical bull, kept spectators and competitors entertained until the wee hours.

A large scoreboard at the entrance kept the teams and their 'fans' up to speed on how each team was doing. Bag toss, hacky-sack and a mini-bike race were among the unofficial competitions.

The 319th personalized their section of the tent city with snow camo-netting, snow cone machines and, of course, the famous 35 below zero marquee photo, made into a metal sign that enhanced the tent's exterior.

"We tried to capture the mood of the frosty North Dakota chill," said Airman 1st Class Michael Chance, one of the team's tent hosts.

Naturally, the Warrior of the North, Sven, made a nightly appearance, with his new partner, Dakota the polar bear. Dakota seemed to be very popular and was often asked to dance to the upbeat sounds coming from neighboring tents.

International competitors brought their own touches. The Dutch team adorned their feet with orange wooden shoes, the United Arab Emirates' team served dates and tea, while the Pakistanis dished out native cuisine to hungry and curious Americans. Other international teams sold T-shirts, coins and beverages from their countries.

The competitions rolled on, despite the happenings at Rainier Ranch, which delivered a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier. The security forces team rested for Thursday's combat challenge course, and the maintainers readied themselves for their last event, refueling the KC-135.

Grand Forks' security forces team faired well during the combat challenge course, coming in ninth out of more than 30 teams.

"I think the civic leaders being there really helped us perform at our peak," said Airman 1st Class Kevin Boyle. "It was awesome to have them cheering for us and encouraging us. It almost made it easier."

July 26, 2007
By Thursday's close, there were many unknowns for the Grand Forks team. The security forces team hadn't seen their scores, and some scores were masked -- the officials' way of adding a bit of suspense to the competition.

The day's awards presentation was held at Rainier Ranch, and the maintainers were presented their trophy once again. At the same presentation, the team was also named the best KC-135 maintenance team.

"We just considered it an honor to represent the excellence that is Grand Forks," said Captain Cole. "All we did was represent all the folks back home. We didn't have the 'best of the best;' we just had an extraordinary opportunity for ordinary maintainers."

Overall, the Warriors of the North impressed umpires, generals, spectators and one another.

"I've been tremendously impressed by the commitment and dedication of our aircrews, security forces and maintainers," said Mr. Jim Bradshaw, one of the three Grand Forks civic leaders that went as part of the team. "The entire event has just been a life experience."

"Everybody showed an incredible amount of class and professionalism," added Wade Pearson, honorary wing commander and another of the civic leaders who attended RODEO. "They're great folks. The people we've been around have been incredible."

According to General Self, the RODEO competition is designed to allow the "best of the best" to come together and learn from each other and from the competitions. The Warriors of the North completed all the tasks they faced with.

"It was an eye-opener, that's for sure," Staf Sgt. JarodCappon said. "It was a great experience and a great time, but more than that, we learned a lot about ourselves and we learned what our strengths and weaknesses are. We were challenged beyond anything we've ever done before."

"[Team Grand Forks was always] the first to work and the last to leave," said Maj. Kris Norwood, RODEO team commander. "We worked hard and long, and it showed."