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MacDill Rodeo 2007 team ready to defend title

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The aim of Team MacDill's 2005 Air Mobility Rodeo champs is to repeat and bring the 2007 event trophy home. 

Training and teamwork developed over the last few weeks is what's going to make that possible, said Major Thomas Lee, 6th Air Mobility Wing Operations Group commander and Rodeo 2007 team chief. 

It's all about the training, he said, and this year's team is sharp and ready for the event, scheduled for July 22-28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. As of this week, the team has four more sorties to run, followed by simulated flying only and a short rest period prior to the competition, he said. 

"It's been a logistical success and all the gear and supplies we need have been paid for thanks to successful fundraising," said Major Smith. "Now we are just in the final preparation phase." 

Repeating the win is a big challenge and the pressures are on, he said, but he believes the 2007 team is up to the task. 

"Everyone is in synch and working well together," Major Smith said. 

Rodeo, started in 1962 as a combat skills event. The competition tests the flight and ground skills of aircrews as well as the related skills of security forces, aerial port operations, aeromedical evacuation, and maintenance team members. 

The event also provides valuable joint and combined training for all participants, particularly for the 2007 event, which will include teams from the U.S. Marines, Coast Guard teams from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, Netherlands, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Nineteen other countries are sending observer teams. 

Practice for Rodeo 2007 began May 1, when Team MacDill, comprised of four aircrew, 10 maintenance members, three security forces personnel and one coach, began drilling and preparing for the event. 

"It's a total effort," said Major Lee, who added that everything from the maintenance crew's troubleshooting and quick repair skills to the marksmanship of Security Forces will be judged. 

As the 2007 team looks to match the accomplishment
of the 2005 group, Major Smith said he's been doing his best to take the pressure off. 

"Defending a championship is a lot to expect," he said. "It's a great goal, but I'm telling everyone it shouldn't be any greater than the goals they set for themselves."