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Air Mobility Rodeo 2011: Grab your tools, McConnell's 'MXG rules'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Twelve Airmen performing twelve specific jobs make up half of the McConnell Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 team. Without them, McConnell's KC-135 Stratotankers would not fly.

They are the men and women of the 22nd Maintenance Group who will compete in the "Air Mobility Olympics" of the sky July 24-29, 2011, at McChord Field, Wash. Air Mobility Rodeo is a competition designed to test the skills of mobility Airmen worldwide.

"The aircraft maintenance personnel are vital to the Rodeo team," said Lt. Col. Travis Edwards, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Air Mobility Rodeo trail boss. "Rodeo is our opportunity to put these fine professionals out front; it's our opportunity to take a look behind the curtain and see how challenging maintaining a nearly 60-year-old aircraft can be."

For months, the team has been preparing the aircraft for competition by cleaning, fitting every bold, beautifying the plane and fixing any new problems after each flight.

When the team was first selected, each member had a different specialty. After hours of work, fueling the plane in under an hour and learning together, the team is beginning to adapt to each other's job, said their officer in charge.

"Their teamwork and willingness to go the extra mile inspires me every day," said Capt. Carrie Kerner, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron RODEO officer in charge. "Over the past two plus months we have developed into a team and taken ownership of our KC-135. We work, do physical training, eat lunch and volunteer together."

The 12 members have their eyes set on becoming the best maintenance team in Air Mobility Command.

"Our intentions are to come back with as many trophies as we can get and that's the attitude we bring to the table," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Jay, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Rodeo electrical and environmental craftsman. "I say that because we have a good group who know their jobs along with good leadership and a good jet."

The maintenance team makes up only one half the total team from McConnell, but their contributions are seen every time a plane takes off. According to Jay and the rest of the team, maintainers are proud to be on the team and are hopeful to bring home the gold.

For more information about Air Mobility Rodeo visit www.mcconnell.af.mil/library/rodeo2011.asp.