317AG and team leave for AMC Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twenty-two members of Team Dyess left July 20 for the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo, to compete with more than 3,700 other servicemembers from 55 teams from 33 other countries for the top prize - the Airlift Rodeo "Best of the Best" trophy. 

The Rodeo, which began in 1962, features competitions among aerial porters, maintainers, security forces and aircrew to enhance air mobility operations and promote esprit de corps and is held at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., home of the 62nd Airlift Wing. 

Members of the Chamber of Commerce, City of Abilene, and Military Affairs Committee outfitted the team with hats, shirts and gear, and were on the flightline to see them off. 

"I have a good feeling about this team," said Col. Kevin Jackson, 317th Airlift Group commander. 

All 22 were chosen because they are the "best of the best" here at Dyess, said Senior Master Sergeant Douglas Earle, 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. 

"Some of the maintainers we sent this year are young and new to Dyess, but I know they'll represent," he said. 

Major Bryan Miller, 317th AG chief of safety, is leading the team this year and said as long as everyone has fun and stays safe, he'll consider it to be a success - but he wants to bring home the trophy and thinks it can happen. 

"We have great support from the wing and the group," he said. "I think we're going to go out there and show a few people what can be done with a C-130." 

"We're going to show the world that we're the biggest, baddest Airlift Group - and we've got the experience to prove it," Colonel Jackson said. "We're going to ascend on McChord and go head-to head for the title."