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Maintainers excel at Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jason McCree
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Just after the wheels touched down July 21, following a short KC-135 flight from Fairchild Air Force Base to McChord Air Force Base, outside Tacoma, Wash., it was time for Team Fairchild to compete in Rodeo 2007 - Air Mobility Command's premiere readiness competition.

Aboard the aircraft was Fairchild's Rodeo team, made up of an operations, security forces and maintenance contingent, each intending on successfully representing the wing and securing bragging rights. Of these contingents, the 10-member maintenance team was subject to an initial inspection even before the opening ceremony.

"The maintainers did very well during their initial inspection," said Maj. Greg Hankins, Fairchild's Rodeo team chief. "By doing so well on their initial score, it really got them off to a great start."

These maintainers also positively impacted other components of the competition, which takes place July 21-28.

They were a big contributor to an outstanding launch of our first KC-135 air refueling mission here, which also led to a successful flight, Major Hankins said.

While these Airmen have performed well, it has not been easy preparing for Rodeo, which focuses on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities.

"Our competition started when we landed and the pace has been extreme," said MSgt Richard Davis, Rodeo production supervisor. "It has been challenging, and we have endured very long hours."

The maintenance team has mitigated these challenges by relying on each other, and making attention to detail and safety their main concerns, he said. The team has trained since May, so they are well prepared. "After two competitions, we are pleased with our score. Our team has worked extremely hard, and we are very proud of the team."

Fairchild leadership agrees. "Our maintenance team has done an outstanding job," said Col. Roger Watkins, 92nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander. "All the hard work and training appears to be paying large dividends."