Guard Airmen join total force Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kathy Lowrey
  • 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) --  A 19-person team from the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, is the only Air National Guard unit competing in Rodeo 2005.

“It is our honor to be here and further the tradition of the citizen-Soldier,” said Maj. Dave Johnson, 121st ARW team commander. “We are proud to go shoulder to shoulder against the ‘best of the best’ in air mobility and showcase our strong commitment to the total force and Ohio.”

The 121st ARW was recognized as the best ANG wing in Ohio in 2004, as well as receiving the 2004 ground safety award for Ohio.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, wing Airmen performed 27 percent of refueling missions while flying 3,788 hours and 797 sorties.

The 121st ARW, which has 18 aircraft and about 1,400 people, is stationed at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, the second largest Air National Guard unit in the United States, and has been described as a joint model installation by Dr. Mario Fiori, assistant secretary of the Army for installations and environment.

The wing’s Rodeo maintenance crew has nearly 160 years of combined military maintenance experience gained from worldwide deployments.

“We have never been more prepared to make Ohio and the Guard proud,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Cameron, maintenance team chief. (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)