Kadena prepares for Air Mobility Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Air refueling, maintenance, aeromedical evacuation, fit-to-fight, security forces and air transportation are among the different elements air mobility warriors will be tested on at this year's Air Mobility Rodeo July 22 to 28. 

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

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

"The Air Mobility Rodeo is the premier air mobility competition," said Maj. Brian Burr, rodeo team chief from the 909th ARS. "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 will need to complete two missions, each including an orbit exercise, rendezvous exercise and toggle-time exercise. 

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

Similar to the Air Combat Command's William Tell competition, the rodeo will test Airmen's knowledge and skills as they complete missions. 

"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. It's also a way for us to stay ahead of the game." 

Training and preparation for the rodeo began in the spring when each squadron held their own practice sessions. Team practice began in early April and has continued until aircrew and maintenance members join Airmen from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, June 17 for a weeklong training session. Kadena's rodeo team will train with Team Hickam once more the week prior to the rodeo. 

"In addition to flying local sorties and training with Hickam, we've also been having physical training 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 bring home a few trophies. 

"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. We're all gearing up for this rodeo and our folks are just as ready as any team out there. Everybody's hungry and ready to get things going this July."