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Little Rock C-130 crew ready for Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mallory Glass
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  A C-130E aircrew from the 314th Airlift Wing departed Little Rock AFB July 21 to display the wing's mission, "to train the world's best C-130 airlifters to fly, fight, and win," with their participation in Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The team was chosen based on the "whole airman concept," said Maj. Jacob Sheddan, 314th Airlift Wing Rodeo team chief. "The crew consists of proven performers who consistently accomplish mission. Both of the pilots attending, Maj. John Kilker and Capt. Nathan Powell, are extremely skilled in their craft. Their weapons officer training will provide the team with an extra edge in showcasing our C-130 excellence."

The 314th C-130 team is participating in events for the titles of best air mobility wing, C-130 aircrew, airdrop crew, short field landing crew, fit-to-fight team, joint airdrop inspection, and airdrop teams.

The 314th AW crew members say they have "the distinct honor" to showcase the heritage and legacy of the C-130.

"Other than Tech. Sgt. William Jackson, this is the first Rodeo for eight of our crew members," said Maj. John Kilker, 314th Airlift Wing C-130 team chief. "However, we are honored to carry on the Herk's legacy by flying the only U.S. Air Force C-130E and oldest USAF C-130 at RODEO."

One of the elements of Rodeo is the opportunity to build and sustain partnerships with the foreign teams and the civic leaders from the Little Rock community who will also be attending, said Sheddan.

"We train the world's best C-130 airlifters -- everyone starts here," he said. "It is important to show to our wing, the local community and all of AMC that not just the 314th but all of Team Little Rock are the best combat airlifters."

The following Airmen are on the 314th AW C-130E aircrew: Maj. John Kilker, 314th Operations Group; Maj. John Fay, Capt. Kevin Eklund, Capt. Nathan Powell, Master Sgt. Randall Wheatley, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Holloway, Tech. Sgt. William Jackson and Staff Sgt. David Sanders, all from the 62nd Airlift Squadron; and Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lynn.