An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Security forces team trains for Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristian Carter
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  It's 9 a.m. and already getting warm as three security forces Airmen run to the first of nine checkpoints in a multi-stage field training exercise here July 13.

The 92nd Security Forces Squadron's Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007 team is training for the competition scheduled to begin July 21.

The team, wearing flak vests, Kevlar helmets and carrying M-4 rifles and various other gear, is running trough a training course that incorporates multiple tasks that could be used in a tactical environment. These tasks include self aid and buddy care, orienteering, calling in emergency close air support, reporting aeromedical evacuation requirements, weapons knowledge and visually estimating distances.

Staff Sgt. Levi Wilson led his team, Senior Airmen Lonnie Bell and David Jones, all three from the 92nd Security Forces Squadron, around this training course in a large open field near the Rambo Gate. This course tests these Airmen in many of the same tasks that they will face when they go to Rodeo, said the team's coach, Bob Gambrel, also with the 92nd SFS.

This is just one piece of the rigorous training regimen Mr. Gambrel is using to develop the team's skills and physical endurance. They are swimming sprints and diving for bricks three times a week, weight training, performing calisthenics, running and practicing sharp shooting skills.

All the additional preparation appears to be working.

"Today the team was 30 minutes faster than they were yesterday," said Mr. Gambrel. "I expect they'll be able to shave another 12 minutes before Rodeo."

Sergeant Wilson participated in Guardian Challenge in 2001, but as for Rodeo, this team's members, who have been training since May, are all new.

"These guys are training and honing the same skills they use on the job to protect the installation, it's resources and people," said Mr. Gambrel, a retired security forces senior master sergeant. "They perform this type of training year-round."

This year's Rodeo will be held at McChord AFB, just outside of Tacoma, Wash., July 21-28. In addition to security forces, Fairchild will be sending teams to compete in the operations and maintenance categories.

The competition will include 45 U.S. teams - including three from the Marine Corps and one from the Coast Guard, as well as international competitors from as far as Australia, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia and the Middle East.