Commander says Rodeo 2009 competition will be 'best ever'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • Rodeo 2009 Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) --  With the shouts and sounds of the fit-to-fight competition resonating in the background, Maj. Gen. Brooks Bash, Air Mobility Rodeo 2009 commander, said he believes this year's edition of Rodeo will be the best ever.

"That's because of the great spread of international partners and U.S. teams we have this year," General Bash said. "We have more events than in previous years to include the flight attendant competition, which has never been done before. Additionally, through the Rodeo environment, we can improve the business we do every day through working with all who are attending the competition."

With more than 100 teams and 2,500 people participating in Rodeo, General Bash said the international mobility competition will bring together the best air mobility warriors the world has to offer. To get the whole Rodeo experience underway, however, he said a lot of work went on behind the scenes.

"The coordination for Rodeo 2009 really started almost the day after Rodeo 2007 was completed," General Bash said. "McChord Air Force Base, with the 62nd Airlift Wing and the 446th Airlift Wing as well as the local community, have been planning this event for that long.

"We're bringing in more than 2,500 people, which means the coordination of thousands of hotel rooms and hundreds of rental cars," General Bash said. "It also includes building the parking plans for all the airplanes on the ramp. It all has to be done way ahead of time. It's a continuous planning process that has really picked up the last couple of weeks to what you see today."

Much of the preparation work for Rodeo was seen in the opening ceremonies, which included team-by-team formations, a "pass and review" by Air Mobility Command commander Gen. Arthur J. Lichte and General Bash, music by AMC's Band of the Golden West, plus much more.

"The opening ceremonies were just absolutely wonderful," General Bash said. "We're honored to have General Lichte here to open it up as well as to have the local civic leaders and distinguished visitors such as the Tuskegee Airmen, Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Jackson and the 'Candy Bomber' himself, Col. Gail Halvorson.

General Bash added there are three significant benefits to holding Rodeo.

"Number one is the camaraderie and esprit de corps you have among the U.S. and international teams," he said. "That spirit is within and between the teams. Everyone encourages the other.

"Another significant benefit is the international flavor of Rodeo," General Bash said. "Just this morning we saw the fit-to-fight competition with the Turkish, German and Belgian teams as well as others cheering each other on. It's really good for us to see that."

The third, and biggest, benefit of Rodeo, General Bash said, is the sharing of tactics, techniques and practices.

"This is where we can all learn from each other," General Bash said. "Additionally, you can see the competitive flavor is there. For example, when the Israeli Air Force team arrived and landed, their arrival was one second off of their scheduled time. It's apparent they have all come to compete."

When Rodeo 2009 comes to a close, General Bash said he knows the competitors and staff will leave some priceless memories and knowledge.

"I know they'll leave here with the knowledge that mobility air forces around the world are professionals, that we care about doing our business better every day, and that we are a very important part of our warfighting capability," General Bash said. "Rodeo is an opportunity to embrace all the challenges mobility air forces face and to find ways to better support our nation and those in our international partnership. This is going to be a great Rodeo experience."