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International observers look to Rodeo for techniques, knowledge

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Desiree Kiliz
  • Air Mobility Rodeo 2007 Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Operational requirements and limited resources might have kept some international teams out of the competition, but these restraints have not kept some international air forces from participating in the Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007 at McChord AFB. 

More than 20 countries, spanning six continents, sent observers to the mobility air forces competition to compare procedures and find new skills to create better practices among air forces worldwide. 

As operations on the front lines continue, money and aircraft resources are spread thin for several air forces, but observing provides these countries with an opportunity to learn about mobility tactics without having to compete. 

All of the United Kingdom's mobility aircraft are C-130s but the deployment tempo is so high they didn't have any spare planes to bring for competition, said Capt. Andy Baker, a flight lieutenant who is at Rodeo for the U.K. 

Observers including the U.K., New Zealand, Australia and Canada have competed in past Rodeos, but coming to this year's event also provides these nations the opportunity to do some recon for the next competition. 

"The last time we came to Rodeo was in 1984, so we are coming back to see what has changed in the competition and what we can do to prepare to compete in the future," said 1st Lt. James Anderson, 40th Squadron, Royal New Zealand air force. 

For several international observers, this is the first time coming to the AMC event and they are looking forward to seeing air mobility techniques from the competing teams.
Maj. Gen. Golgak Danbaba, Nigeria air force, said, "Being here for the first time allows us to see how the U.S. and other teams plan and carry out combat support and sharpens our core area of combat support." 

Other observing teams echo this desire to strengthen their mobility skills through Rodeo. 

"Here we will learn about the state-of-the-art materials, and tactics and techniques for air mobility transportation, which will let us develop our own in the Ukraine," said Ukrainian Col. Vologymyr Volkov. 

Although resources are constrained and operational requirements mount, international air forces continue to take part in Rodeo as observers in order to learn the best airlift techniques from around the world.