MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE: More than 2,500 servicemembers from around the Air Force and the globe gathered here July 19 to officially kick off the 2009 Air Mobility Rodeo, which runs through July 24.
The Rodeo, sponsored by Air Mobility Command, is a week-long mobility readiness competition that brings teams from AMC bases together to compete in a variety of judged events. The competition focuses on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities and features more than 40 aircraft participating in airdrops, aerial refueling and other aerial events.
On hand to kick off the competition were Gen. Arthur Lichte, AMC commander; Maj. Gen. Brooks Bash, AMC director of operations and this year's Rodeo commander; and Doug Richardson, mayor of the surrounding city of Lakewood.
"The local community recognizes and values your service and we are proud to be the host community for this event," the mayor said. "The competitions will be remarkable to witness."
This year's competitions include an aerial port loading and offloading of an aircraft with engines running, a security force's obstacle course, a timed aeromedical evacuation configuration challenge and a timed aircraft egress.
In all, there are more than 50 competitions, each of which is designed to showcase the abilities of mobility Airmen around the Air Force. But the Rodeo isn't just about competition. The event is also a way for Airmen to share ideas and learn from each other.
"Rodeo showcases AMC's best of the best and allows us to train and learn through spirited competition," General Bash said. "Not only does this competition train mobility forces for the fight, it provides a forum for Airmen and our international partners to share the best of tactics and techniques."
This year, more 100 teams are expected to compete, including ones from the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard and the allied nations of Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Malaysia, Israel, the Republic of Korea and Turkey.
"The involvement of our partner nations elevates the Rodeo to a world-class competition," General Lichte said. "It's really a total force effort on display."
And while the teams are here to compete against each other, in the general's eyes, each one is already a winner.
"There may be 16 trophies up for grabs, but we all will win by making things better together," he said. "And that's what the Rodeo is all about."
