Saddling up: McConnell's Rodeo teams get ready to move em out

Published July 19, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FOCE BASE, Kan. -- From the Kansas runway to the skies of Washington, McConnell's mobility operations skills will be fine-tuned before a 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker touches ground at the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo competition, July 22-28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

McConnell's Rodeo teams are currently at work preparing for their moment to show AMC how they intend to lasso the first place trophy. The Rodeo is a competition held to highlight the importance of mobility skills throughout the Air Force by exhibiting each team member's core job performance abilities the Airmen employ daily.

"(We expect) to win. More importantly as ambassadors of Team McConnell, I expect us to provide a snapshot of the teamwork, professionalism, dedication and sacrifice made by all the men and women of McConnell," said Lt. Col. Troy Davis, 349th Air Refueling Squadron and Rodeo team commander.

"As Rodeo team members, we recognize that there are many deployed comrades who are carrying the torch while we train and compete in the Rodeo events. The sacrifice on their part is not taken lightly," he said. "It would be a great honor to take home some hardware reflective of their service and dedication to this great country and our wing."

For the past three months, teams of representatives from McConnell's air refueling and maintenance squadrons alongside a three-member team from the security forces squadron have been training from early morning to late at night for the week-long competition.

The Rodeo will include air refueling, short ground landings, air orbit exercises, timed joint inspection of cargo loads, pre and post flight inspection, as well as ground operations.

Not only will the team members be put to the test in their respective career fields, but their physical fitness will be tested during a combat endurance course comprised of 21 obstacles and a "fit to fight" competition.

A 1.5-mile run may not seem like much for an Air Force member to endure, but some of McConnell's Rodeo participants have been making their practice runs and sprints while wearing gas masks, boots and uniforms. Team members have been engaging in extensive physical training in the base fitness center several times a week.

"We all push each other regardless of what we are doing, whether its running with gas masks on, shooting or rucking," said Staff Sgt. Gregory Podobensky, 22nd Security Forces Squadron Rodeo team member.

"Seeing where we started and where are now is a big difference," said Sergeant Podobensky. "We are stronger, faster and bigger -- that motivates us a lot."

Security forces participants also will be able to highlight their marksmanship abilities in a weapons competition that tests their ability to engage targets over rough terrain using the M9 pistol and M874 shotgun.

The Rodeo aircrew also has been practicing -- honing skills to refuel aircraft at designated locations and times during the competition.

"Its like doing a dance; everyone has to know their steps," said Maj. Mike Morman, a 349th Air Refueling Squadron Rodeo aircrew team member.

Even during the flight to McChord, the tanker must arrive within one minute of its expected time of arrival at the competition, said Major Morman.

Before the plane takes off for Rodeo, maintainers will comb over the aircraft prior to launch, making sure nothing is missed during pre flight preparations. The thoroughness of the Rodeo maintenance team's fine-tooth combing of both the aircraft and its cargo will be examined at the competition.

"I expect us, as a maintenance team, to perform to the best of our abilities giving it the best effort we can give and to also having fun at the same time," said 1st Lt. Blane Neufeld, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Rodeo team chief.

"We have a very versatile group of people, even though we are a mix of crew chiefs and specialists; everybody is pretty well versed in each other's jobs. It allows for us to cover each other's backs when completing our inspections," Lieutenant Blane said. "It's like we have three or four sets of eyes on every thing we do."