Kadena units prep for Air Mobility Rodeo

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles in preparation for the Air Mobility Rodeo. 

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - Airmen from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and other Kadena units are gearing up to travel to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., where they will compete against air mobility teams from around the world. 

Air-refueling, maintenance, aeromedical evacuation, fitness, security and air transportation are among the different elements competitors will be tested on at this year's Air Mobility Rodeo July 22 to 28. Sponsored by the Air Mobility Command, Air Mobility Rodeo 2007 is the Mobility Air Force's readiness competition. Rodeo focuses on improving air mobility forces' professional core abilities. 

Among the 60 teams competing, 48 are from various major commands, Guard and Reserve units, and sister services - Marines and Navy. The rest are from foreign countries including Germany, United Kingdom, Singapore, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Pakistan. 

"The Air Mobility Rodeo is the premier air mobility competition," said Maj. Brian Burr, 909th ARS rodeo team chief. "It's a place where air mobility warriors from around the world can test their combat skill sets against the best operators in the world." 

As part of the air-refueling competition, aircrews have to complete two missions, including orbit, rendezvous and toggle-time exercises. 

"For the toggle-time exercise, the tanker and receiver [aircraft] must maintain contact for 20 minutes while the tanker's autopilot is off," said Capt. Jeff Quick, 909th ARS assistant team chief. "It's going to be pretty challenging since it's something we don't practice every day." 

"Our best techniques and practices as well as new procedures are tested and exchanged," Major Burr said. "One of the big reasons Air Mobility Command hosts this competition is for worldwide standardization, so air mobility assets around the world are doing the same thing." 

Training and preparations for Rodeo began in March and early April when each squadron initiated their own practice sessions. Air refueling aircrew and maintainers will join the team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, for a week-long training session. Both teams will come together once more the week prior to Rodeo. 

"In addition to flying local sorties and training with Hickam next week, we've also been having PT sessions every day," Capt. Quick said. "We've been doing mostly circuit training, running and conducting mock PT tests." 

With so much preparation in so little time, Kadena's Rodeo team chief is positive his team will do well. 

"I feel extremely confident our team will win a few trophies and I'm really hoping we win the 'Best Wing' award," said Major Burr. "I've seen everybody at work. We have a corps of motivated folks on our team. The desire is there and the work is there." 

The major said this year's team is as ready as any team out there. 

"Everybody's hungry and ready to get things going this July," he said.