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Rodeo team leader praises 3 top outstanding competitors

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover's team of 26 hand-picked Airmen, who represented the wing at Air Mobility Rodeo 2007 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., returned Sunday.

When their abilities were measured against 55 teams of Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and international competitors, Team Dover rocketed to the top as their maintenance team was named the best C-5 preflight team.

Every Airman gave the event their all, said the team leader, Maj. Shane Turner, 9th Airlift Squadron. Still, a few Airmen shone like beacons for the team to follow.

"I'd say everyone worked their tails off," said the major. "But, a few stood out as extreme competitors, like Master Sergeant Sam Louie, Staff Sergeant Dustin McPhillips and Senior Airman Mark Wolfgang. They competed exceptionally well and deserve extra recognition."

Major Turner's all-star Airmen were a trio of exemplary leaders, team players and fitness icons, he said.

"The entire aerial port team was very physically fit," said Major Turner. "But, Airman Wolfgang was on fire! He ran the 1.5 mile course, which consisted of several hills, in just 8 minutes, 34 seconds. When it came to physical training, he was a PT animal."

Sergeant McPhillips, 436th Security Forces Squadron also stood out on the PT course and was a super star on the firing range and endurance course.

"He was a leader on everything," said the major in reference to the sergeant. "He was very directive toward his security forces team, kept pushing them physically and led the tactical exercise very well."

Like Sergeant McPhillips and Airman Wolfgang, Sergeant Louie also led his team in fitness.

"He had a younger team," said Major Turner. "But, due to his extreme level of physical fitness and absolutely superb leadership abilities, Sergeant Louie effectively led his team in pallet-building, gas-mask run, self-aid buddy care scenario and on the entire endurance course."

Sergeant Louie ran the four-mile endurance course with little effort, said the major.

"When everyone else was just concentrating on moving forward and controlling their breathing, Sergeant Louie was able to focus and lead his team on the specific task," said Major Turner. "He never looked tired during and spent the majority of the course running back and forth among his warriors and motivating them. He was the key person that drove all of Team Dover to the finish line."

A Rodeo team is very much like any professional athletic team, a few players will surface that will have the character and charisma to make the significant plays happen, he said. Key players are not always the leader by position or rank; they lead by an internal drive for excellence - a thirst that can only be quenched when their team, Team Dover, wins.