Team Travis participates in Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

  • Published
  • By Airman1st Class Michael Battles
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  On July 23, the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., sent more than 60 members to participate in the Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., which runs July 24 through 29. The Air Mobility Rodeo, which is sponsored by Air Mobility Command, is a week-long readiness competition between mobility bases and more than 34 countries from around the globe highlighting the capabilities and training of mobility Airmen. Throughout the week, teams from Travis will compete in a variety of events from a wide range of career fields such as finance, security forces, aerial port, aircraft maintenance, air refueling, airdrop and airlift. "We have only been preparing for the Rodeo for a very short time, but Team Travis' airpower will set the standard when it comes to air mobility," said 1st Lt. Adam Sugalski, 60th Maintenance Group Rodeo team lead. Practice for AMC Rodeo began April 29, 2011, but with current operations Travis did not focus on the Rodeo til mid-June, said Maj. Nathan Koran, 60th AMW Rodeo team lead. Even with the small practice time frame Travis will still be a large competitor this year, he said. Along with more than 150 teams and 3,000 people competing, Air Force active-duty and reserve units will also compete against Allied nations such as Germany, Belgium, Israel, Pakistan and Netherlands. Air Mobility Rodeo, which began as the Reserve Troop Carrier Rodeo in October 1956, is designed to develop and improve the capabilities of today's force and strengthen bonds and friendships between the United States and Allied nations. "As our leadership has said we are not the Airman pulling the trigger in defense of our country, but the rodeo gives us a chance to demonstrate our capabilities and what we bring to the fight," said Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle, 60th AMW command chief. "Team Travis is here loud and proud ready to bring Air Power."