Warriors wrangle at AMC RODEO

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 319th Air Refueling Wing's RODEO team arrived McChord AFB July 18 to compete in the Air Mobility RODEO in full-force. The 19-member team consisted of security forces defenders, KC-135 maintainers and aircrew vying against other mobility units in a series of events to determine the best mobility unit.

RODEO is an international combat skills and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques and procedures that enhance air mobility operations and to promote esprit de corps, optimizing mobility partnerships.

The team participated in events testing their expertise in aircraft inspections, air refueling, aircraft launch and recovery, rifle and handgun competitions, obstacle courses and many more, depending on the skill set being evaluated by RODEO umpires.

In addition to competing team members, the Warriors of the North included five members of the local community on their team as well as the wing commander, Col. John Quinn, the base's marketing director, Julie McWalter, and two additional airmen to maintain the hospitality tent.

After the opening ceremony July 19, Lt. Col. Seth Beaubien, RODEO team chief and deputy 319th Operations Group commander; Capt. Kelly Church, 905th Air Refueling Squadron; Staff Sgt. Kevin McPherson, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Senior Airman Alfredo Mejia, 319th Security Forces Squadron; and Senior Airman Titan Miller, 905 ARS, sweated their way through push-ups, sit-ups and a one and one-half mile run, which kicked off the rest of the competition.

While members of the team participated in the fit to fight portion, the maintainers prepared for their first inspection. Umpires had an hour to inspect the near-immaculate 47-year-old KC-135 for anything from foreign objects to missing paint. Tensions mounted as the 10-member maintenance team gathered, watching umpires go from the hull to the wing, under the jet and into wheel wells. From the small crowd of Warriors of the North, comments like "this is the longest hour I've ever lived though," and "how much longer," were echoed as they awaited the findings.

"I can't describe the anxiousness we felt waiting on the umpires to finish," said Tech. Sgt. Ed Falls, 319 AMXS. "The members of this team are just as thorough every day, but being scrutinized on how well you do a job you're so proud of adds a different type of stress we don't normally deal with."

After 60 minutes passed, the umpires discussed their observations with team lead, Master Sgt. Tadd Goehring, 319 AMXS. The team then had a chance to rebut the findings, as was the case with each inspection of the competition.

As the aircrew and boom operators rested in preparation for their first inspected flight, the four-man defender team showed off their shooting proficiency in the combat weapons course July 20. The challenge forced defenders into gas masks as they evacuated a litter toward the casualty collection point while stopping to fire M-4 rifles and M-9 pistols at targets ranging in distance from about 25 to 150 feet. In addition to the weapons course, the security forces team was challenged by a combat tactics course, where they were given a scenario to play out that included sniper fire and casualties, and a combat endurance competition, which pitted them against timed obstacles, weapons familiarization, and a litter carry along a course about one-mile long.

"I think the endurance course was definitely the most challenging of the competition," said Senior Airman Shawn LeQue, 319 SFS. "I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in RODEO, and I left with an experience and a clear understanding of what these competitions entail. Mostly, it brought the four of us much closer together."

Meanwhile, after taking the tanker to the skies, the aircrew was evaluated on timing, speed and other critical elements of air refueling. Boom operators were tested on cargo loading abilities and air refueling expertise.

"It was a very interesting experience," said Airman Miller, one of two boom operators on the team. "But, more than anything, it was gratifying to be given the opportunity to try to execute to perfection."

While not competing, members of the team ensured the Warrior of the North, Sven, Dakota the Polar Bear and Mug Ruff the Crime Dog made regular appearances among the crowds at Rainier Ranch, an area of the base set aside for teams to set up hospitality tents to display their esprit de corps, sell coins and patches and relax.

As the Belgium team offered their native brew, Hickam AFB's tent sported palm trees and servers in hula attire. Civic leaders from around the country mingled with active duty airmen and retired generals, and Medal of Honor recipient, Col. Joe Jackson, among other historical mobility and Air Force personalities, spoke with small crowds and posed for photos.

"It was a great experience," commented Airman 1st Class Ben Saylor, 319th Medical Group, who was tasked with manning and perfecting the 319 ARW's hospitality tent. "The whole week gave me a new perspective of how integral we all are in the success of the air mobility and Air Force mission. Seeing legends like the Tuskegee Airmen and the Candy Bomber interact with all walks of current Air Force members, from airmen to generals, reminds me that we are all cogs in the wheel of success."

The Frozen Chosen's arctic camo-draped temper tent offered passer-byes true North Dakota delicacies; buffalo bratwurst and Red River Valley potatoes, and keeping with the theme, snow cones with flavors named "snirt," (the early spring combination of snow and dirt) and "yellow snow," among others. The young and young at heart enjoyed the icy treats while team members prepared and passed out the beautifully-bunned brats.

After all the recreation and relaxation around the tent and hard work during inspections, evaluations and courses, the Warriors of the North finished the competition on point and strong as an ox.

"After we built the momentum, we had a solid finish," added Sergeant Falls. "I'm proud of this team, and we're definitely leaving with a better sense of camaraderie and pride. I couldn't have chosen a better team to be a part of."

In the end, the exhausted Warriors didn't come home with any material symbols of victory, but the learning experience, teamwork and networking were the best take-away. Even more, they exemplified the role of the 319 ARW in today's global reach of air mobility and in the Air Force's vital function to integrate with today's warfighter.

"I guess what struck me the most is the operations tempo for not only the tankers, but all of Air Mobility Command," said Don Larson, an honorary member of the base's team and senior policy advisor for Gov. John Hoeven of North Dakota. "Through that, I see how all airmen work together to accomplish the mission, support one another and support the families at home."