An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

RODEO 2009: Maintaining the enduring spirit of Air Mobility RODEO

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Collen McGee
  • RODEO 2009 Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Air Mobility RODEO is all about being the best and taking home the trophy. Underneath that goal, however, is something else -- something intangible that lasts longer than RODEO week. 

Airmen call it "esprit de corps," or "camaraderie." It is the spirit of RODEO. It can be seen in the exhibition hall, at the hospitality tents at Rainier Ranch and on the flightline between aircraft parking spots. But, the true evidence is on the faces of RODEO rookies and returnees. Everyone has a different way to identify that spirit. 

"Although it's a competition, it's also a friendly learning experience," said Mr. Jonathan Harris, RODEO program manager. 

Teams learn tricks about everything from how to position tie-down straps to where to tuck an M-4 magazine in ways that speed access and use. Benchmarking is expected and encouraged. 

"If a team does something well, the other teams will follow," said Mr. Harris. "We're really helping each other and our allies to be better in the Global War on Terror and global reach." 

Mr. Harris, a veteran of every RODEO at McChord AFB and a few elsewhere, said every RODEO is, "... the same, but different." 

The significance of this year's RODEO for Mr. Harris was the connecting circle of RODEOs past and present at McChord AFB. 

"My best memory from this RODEO will be getting to talk to General Fogelman," said Mr. Harris. 

Gen. Ronald Fogelman, former Air Force Chief of Staff, was then-Commander in Chief for U.S. Transportation Command during RODEO 1994. "His executive officer was, then Colonel (Arthur J.) Lichte. To see the circle going from him being a part of the staff, to now General Lichte (Air Mobility Command commander), he's the one putting it on...to see how we've grown in 15 years." 

For some, the spirit is in trying things for the first time because 2009 is their first RODEO. Airman 1st Class Jason Gontinas, a C-17 crew chief with the 446th Airlift Wing, was able to go from the ground side of a C-17 to the flying side through a simulator set up in the exhibition hall. 

"I didn't think I'd get to do stuff like this," said Airman Gontinas, as he tried to set a new record for the fastest assault landing. "It's really fun actually...I've got to beat this record!"
Mr. Robert Santoso, a representative from the Boeing simulator booth said there was a surprise in the simulator assault landing competition. 
 
"The first day a C-17 pilot set the record," he said. "The second morning it was an 18-year-old maintainer who made a record 53 second landing." 

Prizes were awarded to the fastest to land the simulated C-17. There is one other prize that provides tangible evidence of the RODEO spirit - hat pins. 

Mr. William "PAPPA-J" Johnson, the athletic director for the 62nd Force Support Squadron, has a cowboy hat on display at the souvenir stand with pins from all six RODEOs held at McChord AFB. The pins are a way for him to keep a little of that RODEO spirit with him. 

"Half the fun is bartering for them," said Johnson. "They're something you can look back and reflect on the really great times with some really great Airmen."