Airmen bring home AMC Rodeo trophies

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twenty-two Dyess Airmen returned from the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 28, bringing with them two top honors: the Gen. Harold George and Gen. Lew Allen trophies for best C-130/C-160 unit and best C-130/ C-17 airdrops, worldwide. 

More than 3,700 people from more than 55 teams and 33 countries participated in the rodeo, which was held at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., home of the 62nd Airlift Wing. 

"It's no surprise that our team brought back international recognition," said Col. Kevin Jackson, 317th Airlift Group commander. "As the AMC's busiest unit, we're deployed 24/7 all around the world. This recognition just proves what we've always known: that the Airmen we have here are superior in every way." 

The bi-annual Rodeo, which began in 1962, featured competitions among aerial porters, maintainers, security forces and aircrew. It serves as the Mobility Air Force's readiness competition, focusing on improving professional core abilities worldwide. 

Major Bryan Miller, 317th AG chief of safety, was the team leader for the 19-317th Airlift Group Airmen and three 7th Security Forces Squadron participants from Dyess. 

"This was an opportunity for the people who call themselves the 'best of the best' to prove it," he said. "The guys we brought to the rodeo proved it safely and effectively and showed the rest of the world what superior air power looks like." 

Captain Justin Chandler, 39th Airlift Squadron C-130 co-pilot, said the team worked extremely well together and he was happy to be part of an event that proved Dyess has the best C-130 capabilities, worldwide. 

"I've deployed twice so far, so I've gotten some good experience with C-130s at home and abroad," Captain Chandler said. "Going to the rodeo was a lot of fun. Our personalities really meshed, and everyone did a great job." 

First Lt. Daryl Cesal, 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, also sung the praises of the aircraft maintainers he brought to McChord this year. 

"The team we brought this year was really young," he said. "Many of them hadn't been to (this sort of competition) before; but the work they do every day prepared them to bring back these trophies."