RODEO 2009: Combat camera team serves as 'eyes' of competition

Published July 23, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Herard
RODEO 2009 Public Affairs

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Behind every major event at Air Mobility RODEO 2009 there is a videographer, photographer or both.

The RODEO Combat Camera Team is here to capture imagery for historical documentation, training, media releases, after-action reports and a final video for the closing ceremony. All of their imagery is also posted on the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center at www.defenseimagery.mil.

"They have done a fantastic job," said Maj. Michiko Riley, 4th Combat Camera Squadron project officer, March Air Reserve Base, Calif. "As of now they have captured more than 8,200 images and 1,565 minutes of raw footage."

This RODEO is also the first time the 4th CTCS has taken the lead on an assignment. The 4th CTCS is the only Reserve combat camera squadron. The only active duty squadron is the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

During RODEO, most competitors focus on the competition or support other members from their base during events. The RODEO Combat Camera Team not only got to witness a variety of events, but had access to places most people do not.

"That's why I joined this career field," said Senior Airman Jonathan Garcia, 4th CTCS combat videographer. "For the very fact that we get to see what everyone else is doing in the Air Force and then some."

"I liked RODEO because it was like a big reunion seeing people recognizing each other," added Airman Garcia. "I also liked greeting people from different places, I tried to learn their language's greeting and, when they saw I was trying, it put a smile on their face. It built a lot of camaraderie."

While supporting RODEO's mission, the Combat Camera Team also had to support requests from the other countries.

"I was able to interact with Korea, Belgium and Germany and it was difficult to schedule things so that everyone was covered, but it was a great opportunity to talk about the Air Force, their rank, their country, share ideas and make new friends," said Major Riley. "It was great to witness U.S. and international teams working together firsthand."

RODEO was also a teambuilding experience for the combat camera Airmen because augmentees were sent from Hill AFB, Utah, Scott AFB, Ill., Nellis AFB, Nev., and Lackland AFB, Texas.

"It was great working with everybody and meeting new people," said Senior Airman Matthew Smith, 4th CTCS still photographer. "All of our training has paid off."