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, a proud heritage of training and camaraderie

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carrie Peasinger
  • RODEO 2009 Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Among the booths in the exposition hall at Air Mobility RODEO 2009, you'll find a booth, full of Air Force photographs, some black and white, highlighting Air Force milestones and events. This is the Air Mobility Command history booth.

"Because RODEO is a large international event, bringing the U.S. and also competing in RODEO seven countries together, this is a prime opportunity to share our history with others," said John Murphy, the AMC History Office field program manager, manning the history booth. "The Air Force and RODEO has come a long way and both have long and proud histories."

RODEO first began in 1962 as the Computed Air Release Point RODEO, as an effort to improve airlift under the Military Air Transport Service or MATS. The competition was conceived as an incentive to encourage C-124 Globemaster II aircrews to learn CARP procedures. The CARP RODEO lasted three years until suspended because of operations in Southeast Asia.

Two years later, MATS was redesignated as the Military Airlift Command, or MAC, and the airdrop competition resumed in 1969, entitled Combat Airlift Competition, which lasted four years. Events such as a physical fitness test, marksmanship and a four-mile orienteering course were added.

In 1979, MAC revived the airdrop competition and renamed it Volant RODEO. It was held at Pope AFB. The Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard were also invited to participate, bringing together the total force.

Then, in 1980, international teams from four countries participated in Volant Rodeo, marking the first time non-U.S. personnel were involved in the competition.

Inviting allied teams to RODEO improves close associations and facilitates the flow of information between U.S. Air Force personnel and their allied counterparts, said Mr. Murphy.

In 1987, the named changed once again to Airlift RODEO, to more accurately describe its purpose. Added events included maintenance, Security Police and combat teams.

The name remained the same until 1992 when MAC was deactivated and the newly-formed Air Mobility Command renamed the competition RODEO. It was held annually until 1994 and then, for budgetary reasons, was held biannually.