Wranglers provide Rodeo horsepower Published June 20, 2005 The life of a true horse wrangler starts with the rise of the sun and ends when the work is done, often long after everyone is asleep. For wranglers it seems the work never ends even at the 2005 Air Mobility Rodeo. The work started in late May for more than 140 Rodeo Wrangler volunteers and will continue until late June. They are trained in a little bit of everything and are at the employment of everyone. We are the horsepower of the Rodeo staff, said Master Sgt. Joe Steinbacher, Rodeo Wrangler chief. We cover everything from greeting to garbage pickup. In Rodeos past, Wranglers just handled the grunt work, such as, setting up and tearing down tents and moving equipment. The greeting, marshalling, and transportation was handled by Cowpokes. At the 1998 Rodeo we put both groups under the heading of Rustler, but this year we did away with Cowpokes and now the Wranglers do all and see all, said Sergeant Steinbacher. The work of a Wrangler includes such things as greeting incoming members, 24-hour communication security, setting up DV lounge and Rodeo central offices, and marshalling aircraft. Senior Airman Brian Owens, 62nd Maintenance Squadron and Rodeo Wrangler, has been working on Rodeo set-up for the past two weeks. I jumped at the chance to volunteer for Rodeo, he said. So far Ive had the chance to do flightline set-up, and during the competition I will be a greeter. The work seems endless but its fun and makes the day go by fast. Sergeant Steinbacher says he is excited about working the 2005 Rodeo. This is the fifth Rodeo Ive worked and its the most exciting, he said. The biggest difference is the security precautions taken, and the number of aircraft participating. The Rodeo is an important tradition and McChord and Air Mobility Command have been backing everything 100 percent. Another Wrangler, one whos never worked a Rodeo, agrees with the sergeant. Its a great opportunity to be a part of tradition and keep the Rodeo spirit alive, said Staff Sgt. Frances Wittenberg, 62nd Operations Support Squadron. Being a Wrangler I have been able to see all the international teams come through and have been working as security I look forward to the rest of the competition. The Wranglers are stationed at three main posts; the flightline, Rainier Ranch, and Hanger 3. They can be identified by staff t-shirts and ball caps. A select few of the greeters will be in western shirts and hats during ceremonies. Just like horse wranglers, the Rodeo Wranglers are equipped to handle any task. So, as Rodeo participants are bunking up for the night, the Wranglers will corral and coordinate everything for the next days events the work of a Wrangler is never done. Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821