Air Mobility Command's 'Rodeo 2009' just weeks away Published July 2, 2009 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Command's premier mobility competition will take place July 19 to 24 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., AMC officials said. The international competition focuses on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities and features more than 40 aircraft participating in airdrops, aerial refueling and other aerial events. Additional events will showcase the unique and wide-ranging capabilities of military security forces and aerial port, maintenance and aeromedical evacuation personnel. More than 100 teams and 2,500 people from the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, as well as 25 international partners, are expected to participate. The last biennial competition took place in July 2007 at McChord AFB. "RODEO showcases AMC's best of the best and allows us to train and learn through spirited competition," said Maj. Gen. Brooks Bash, AMC director of operations and RODEO 2009 commander. "Not only does this world-class competition train mobility forces for the fight, it provides a forum for Airmen and our international partners to share the best of tactics and techniques." An important long-term benefit of this event is increased cooperation between air mobility forces among participating nations. Collectively, the ultimate goal of the competition is to develop and improve techniques and procedures that enhance air mobility operations. According to AMC officials, the command provides the nation its unique global mobility combined with rapid response. It not only plays a crucial role in both Iraq and Afghanistan through its airlift, tanker and aeromedical evacuation capabilities but also provides humanitarian support around the world. Its extensive daily flying operations average an aircraft takeoff every 90 seconds.