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RODEO 2009: Volunteers 'wrangle' their skills into valuable support

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Emerald Ralston
  • RODEO 2009 Public Affairs
As the planes and buses roll in for the 2009 RODEO competition, certain Airmen are distinguishable by their jeans and cowboy hats. They are here to offer direction and greetings to the participants. They are the RODEO Wranglers.

RODEO is an international competition that focuses on Mobility Air Force readiness featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events to showcase the capabilities of military aircrews, security forces, aerial porters, maintenance personnel and aeromedical evacuation specialists. The Wranglers ensure the team members are welcomed and sent on their way to compete in the competition.

"Being a part of RODEO is important because we get to find out where we stand in comparison to the world's air forces," said Senior Airman Emmit Parker, from the 62nd Maintenance Squadron. "Helping these competitors find their way and get situated and settled in is an important part for the first day here."

As these cowboy-themed volunteers bustle throughout the RODEO grounds, they can be found doing myriad activities to help out, including meeting, greeting, security and food service responsibilities.

"We'll be working all over the place through the course of the event," said Bethany Parker, a civilian volunteer. "We get tasked to do whatever needs to get done to make sure everything goes smoothly. When they tell me to run, I run."

Each volunteer is dedicated to ensuring each team is well prepared to have a great time and get the most out of their participation at RODEO.

"I'm strictly here for the enrichment of the participants," said Staff Sgt. Victoria Padron, RODEO Wrangler from Camp Murray. "You never know what you'll be doing at any certain time, but we're here answering questions and pointing people in the right direction."

On top of making sure the participants enjoy themselves, the Wranglers appear to be having a good time as well.

"I volunteered for RODEO in 2007 and decided being a Wrangler was the most fun," said Staff Sgt Daniel Nichols, 446th Maintenance Squadron. "Meeting all the people from different bases and different countries is pretty interesting. With the international teams, we definitely get to see the diverse group of people that make up the Mobility Air Force. Of course, above all, I hope everyone is going to have a great time and some good, healthy competition - that's what it's all about."