Dyess brings back hardware

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen from the 7th Bomb Wing and 317th Airlift Group returned from the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo, an international airlift competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., hoisting their trophies into the air.

The 7th Logistic Readiness Squadron won Best Pallet Build-Up Team, the 39th Airlift Squadron won Best Preflight Team and the 317th Airlift Group Maintenance Squadron won Best Backing and Combat Offload Team.

Dyess was one of 52 U.S. Air Force bases bases and 31 foreign countries to compete in the biennial event, which took place last week.

The week-long competition showcased capabilities and expertise in air-to-air refueling, on/off loading cargo, aero-medical evacuations, low-level flying, air drops, pallet build-up and more.

"Knowing the caliber of Port 'Dawgs' we were up against, it feels great to win Best Pallet Build-Up Team," said Tech. Sgt. Edgar Perez, 7 LRS rodeo team chief. "I knew the only way we were going to pull it off was to work as a team. Now the world knows if they need pallet building training, come to Dyess, because that's what we do!"

Team Dyess was an event away from bringing home Best Security Forces Team.

"They were absolutely phenomenal in the first two parts, combat endurance and tactics," said Col. Dan Dagher, 317th Airlift Group commander. "But the minute they started weapons shooting, it started to rain. And the minute we quit 'done firing,' it stopped raining. We were just a little unlucky with the rain."

Team Dyess is already looking forward to the next AMC Rodeo.

We plan on taking lessons learned from this year's rodeo and put them into affect at the next one to come home with even more trophies, Dagher said.