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Little Rock aerial porters reload, ready to defend trophy

  • Published
  • By Arlo Taylor
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 19th Airlift Wing's aerial port team is ready to load up, deploy and defend its world champion title at the Air Mobility RODEO 2011 competition from July 24-29, 2011, at McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Air Mobility Rodeo is the U.S. Air Force's and Air Mobility Command's premier air mobility competition.

This year's aerial port team consists of Staff Sgts. Joseph Chilton and Natalie Gregg, and Senior Airmen Kekoa Nelson, Adrian Montoya and Emmanuel Lewis, all from the 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron -- and they're ready for the challenge.

Despite heavy deployment commitments that has left the 19th LRS Aerial Delivery Flight at 58 percent manning, team leader Master Sgt. James Langston said everyone has pulled together to support the Rodeo 2011 competitors. The team members have been putting in six to eight hours of practice per day to polish their razor-sharp skills.

"Our entire section had to step up big time to put up a Rodeo team and support the team members. [Our team] will be ready to compete and defend [our title]," Langston said.

Langston said the biggest challenge for the team will be staying focused with all the activities and competitors moving around at such a fast pace. But what they lack in experience they make up with youthful energy and spirit.

"Our team is very young," Langston said. "I think that the on-lookers will be impressed with the results with such a young team ... I think they will be something we can all be proud of when the dust settles."

Chilton, the team's most tenured member with nine years experience, said his team is ready for the challenge.

"This young team is hungry and motivated. They understand that they have big shoes to fill and we understand the magnitude of this competition," he said. "We are going to be competitive in all aspects of the 2011 Rodeo. I believe that a repeat is possible, and can promise that we will not cause ourselves to lose due to a lack of preparation or dedication.

"It's like Master Sergeant Langston says, 'In the end, you take what the situation gives you.'"

The aerial port competition includes teams ensuring equipment and supplies are loaded safely and quickly for airdrop and transport. The event includes two-person teams navigating a 10K forklift through a series of cones, being evaluated on how quickly and safely they can maneuver the course. Other aerial port events include engine running on- and offload, and a combat endurance course.