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'Great synergy' Team McChord: Rodeo commander praises competition preparation efforts

  • Published
  • By Capt. Suzanne Ovel
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  More than 80 people convened in Hangar 4 this week as part of a planning think tank for the Rodeo 2007 competition to be held here July 22 to 28. 

Rodeo is the Mobility Air Force's (MAF) readiness competiton that focuses on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities.

Career-field experts and logistical planners from Air Mobility Command, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center and McChord participated in a three-day in-progress review to solidify plans for the international mobility competition and to brief the new Rodeo Commander, Brig. Gen. Kip Self, on these plans.

"This was an eye-opening experience. I mean that from the second of day one that I walked in, Team McChord was evident," said General Self, noting the total force contribution to coordinating the event.

"There's a great synergy here, and in a team this size, it's essential."

In addition to solidifying the schedule of Rodeo week, the planning team made real progress, said Lt. Col. Chris Duffek, AMC Rodeo director.

"We fine-tuned the in-processing procedures to check in the more than 3,000 competitors and staff for the competition; we finalized change two to the operation order which will go out to the competitors next week; and we prepared our way ahead for the Rodeo briefing to [AMC Commander] Gen. Duncan McNabb on June 18," Colonel Duffek said.

With more than a year and a half of Rodeo planning already accomplished, the Rodeo team is well-prepared to host the teams and observers from nearly 30 countries.

"Really all we have to do is polish a few areas, just tie up a couple of loose ends and we'll be ready to go, which is a nice place to be. We've been planning this event since October 2005, and it's time to execute," Colonel Duffek said.

That sense of accomplishment is echoed by the McChord Rodeo staff.

"The McChord Rodeo planning staff has done an outstanding job preparing and planning for this AMC Rodeo 2007, and we are excited to execute over the next few weeks and determine who is the best of the best," said Lt. Col. Bryan Huntsman, McChord Rodeo director.