RODEO 2009: AMC commander cites RODEO as 'beneficial' in more ways than one

Published July 22, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
RODEO 2009 Public Affairs

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- For Air Mobility RODEO 2009, Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, said the competition brings with it a plethora of shared knowledge and lessons learned.

In addition, General Lichte said the rich heritage and the people involved create an atmosphere that is not only for competing, but learning as well. More than 2,500 people from bases around the world are participating. For the AMC commander, RODEO 2009 is an environment filled with possibilities.

"I have learned that RODEO is very worthwhile for a number of different reasons," General Lichte said. "From my point of view, this will be absolutely fantastic because we're seeing lessons learned across the board from all the events. It's been very beneficial."

This year's RODEO also features more competition on the ground, to include participation from contingency response wings from across AMC. General Lichte said their involvement is crucial, because they are AMC's forces who are "first to deploy."

"This year we are seeing more of the combat support skills people participate," General Lichte said. "They include security forces, command and control, communications and aerial port. These competitors are not only from Air Mobility Command, but from international partners as well."

The general said contingency response groups and wings participating in RODEO are another "secret weapon" in AMC's arsenal so having them participate is a valuable opportunity.

"They are the first ones we're going to send (for deployment)," General Lichte said. "For them to be out here competing and sharing notes with the other contingency response units from around the world...that's where the real value is."

General Lichte also noted it is the people who are driving the mission who make RODEO successful every time it is held.

"We can have a whole fleet of airplanes, but it's the people who make this mission happen," General Lichte said. "It's the people on the ground pushing the mission every day. It all does come down to people. To have those extra skills competing, it's just like any other event, it raises the spirit of everybody. People who come here have taken the opportunity to train back at their home station. They picked the brains of everyone within that wing to put the best team forward. And when they go back with all their lessons learned, they share that with their units. So in my mind it is a win for everybody."

Among the people visiting RODEO are some noteworthy veterans. They include retired Col. Gail Halvorson, also known as the "Candy Bomber" from the Berlin Airlift of 1947, original Tuskegee Airmen retired Lt. Cols. Bill Hollomon and Edward Drummond Jr., and three veterans of the Doolittle Raiders of April 1942 - retired Lt. Cols. Richard Cole and Edward Saylor and retired Maj. Thomas Griffin.

"We have a very proud tradition and proud history in AMC and the Air Force," General Lichte said. "When we can bring out those who've gone before us, who set the standard, who taught us the business that we're about today, I think it is the right thing to do.

"I think it makes our Airmen get more personally involved when they have an opportunity to shake hands with the Candy Bomber, Colonel Halvorson, with Tuskegee Airmen or when they can talk to the Doolittle Raiders," General Lichte said. "Someday our young Airmen will be coming back to RODEO and telling their war stories about what they did in Iraq and Afghanistan. I think it's just the right thing to do to pay tribute to those who've gone before us."

For the people associated with RODEO 2009, General Lichte said he would like them to remember what a "great" location McChord AFB is to hold the competition and for them to thank the people in the greater Puget Sound area for how well they have treated everyone.

"We've also had our local civic leaders come travel with their teams to show support for their communities back home," General Lichte said. "That's absolutely fantastic. We've had the great mentors come out and the Secretary of the Air Force is visiting. All this shows how important the Air Mobility Command mission is.

"When everyone is putting it on display through this week and they know they have support from the Secretary of the Air Force, from all those who have gone before them, and from the communities they live in, that's a powerful message to send to all our Airmen," General Lichte said.