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Team Hickam arrives at Rodeo 2009

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Air crew hustled to unload a 15th Airlift Wing C-17 as soon as Team Hickam put wheels on the ground at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., right on time July 18 for the 2009 Air Mobility Rodeo.

Forty total-force team members from Hickam's active-duty and Air National Guard units are hoping to bring back a trophy to stand alongside the one they won at this biennial, international competition in 2007.  

This is the first year the 15th AW and 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing are partnering together to compete against 21 other U.S. and international teams, according to Capt. Mark Klohr, 715th Air Mobility Operations Group director of operations, Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

"We are excited to be here," said Col. Jeff Morgan, 15th Operations Group commander, Hickam AFB. "The team is well prepared, flying well, and looking forward to hitting the ball out of the park."

After a warm welcome by Maj. Gen. Brooks Bash, the Rodeo commander and Director of Air, Space and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. and Col. Kevin Kilb, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, McChord AFB. Team Hickam showed some aloha with an exchange of Hawaii pineapple.

Now, it will be a lot of hard work for both the 15th AW and 515th AMOW competitors.

"My expectation is that they perform as well as they can and have fun, and hopefully we'll bring home a trophy," Colonel Morgan said. "It's going to be a long, exciting week. Well try to make sure the crews pace themselves so they are as strong and excited at the end as they were at the beginning."

"We're ready to get started," said Captain Klohr. "We put lots of time and preparation into it, and we're glad to be here."

Team Hickam's two units will compete together in the Engines Running On/Off Load event, better known as the ERO. The integration of teams has taken seven weeks of intense practice and relationship-building for the Pacific aerial porters and 15th AW, according to Captain Klohr.

Building relationships is what the Rodeo is about, said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, Air Mobility Command, commander. He said the total force is what makes a difference - active duty, guard, reserve, civilian, and international members.

"This is a competition, and teams will be judged on all aspects of core competencies," he said. "We will all win if we identify, and share procedures tactics and techniques that improve mission success and efficiency around the world. Making things better together is what this event is all about."

According to Captain Klohr, the expectation for Team Hickam is to represent the wing well.

"They've practiced hard, and if they compete the way we practiced they'll do well."

The 2009 Air Mobility Command Rodeo, featuring international teams from Belgium, Germany, Malaysia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Turkey and Spain, is taking place from July 19-25.