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Fairchild to compete at Air Mobility Command-wide, biennial competition

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  A KC-135R Stratotanker flight crew of four, along with 13 of the tanker's maintenance specialists, four security forces Airmen and three finance specialists made up the competing team for Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., who departed the Spokane International Airport and arrived at the joint base July 23.

But, the biennial mobility competition amongst Air Mobility Command units started before crews left their home stations. Pilots were graded on the timing of their landing - maximum points are earned by crews who arrive at exactly their scheduled time. More than 40 flying units competed in this category.

The week-long competition called Air Mobility Rodeo focuses on mission readiness of multiple Air Force specialties, aerial refueling and other events. Air Force wings also contribute umpires to judge other units like Fairchild's Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Abbott, 92nd Maintenance Squadron.

"We didn't get this jet back from the desert until July," said Abbott. "Some wings are able to fine tune their jets for the competition many months in advance. Our guys have been working hard."

Just minutes before loading the crew for take-off Tech. Sgt. Laszlo Kiss, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulics technician, was on a ladder cleaning the underside of the wing's seams.

This work ethic was noticed by the three civic leaders who flew to Joint Base Lewis-McChord with the crew and they commented on this to Col. Marc Van Wert, 92nd ARW vice commander after landing.

"It was so impressive to hear the maintainers talk strategy and see them reading their manuals on the way over," said Mr. Bill Simer, a certified public account and Fairchild's civic leader representative to Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., Air Mobility Command commander. "Those could just be chilling out but they are using every available minute to get their game on."

On July 24, five of Fairchild's Airmen - four competitors and the team chief - competed in a fitness challenge. Senior Airman Lyndell Bouie, 92nd Comptroller Squadron military pay technician; Senior Airman Alexander Aun, 92nd SFS patrolman; Staff Sgt. Michael Burton, 92nd AMXS avionics technician, Capt. Jim Blech, 92nd Operations Support Squadron chief of tactics and KC-135 pilot, and Lt. Col. Brad Hamby, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron commander, KC-135 pilot and Rodeo team chief for Fairchild.

The fitness challenge was the exact replica of the Air Force's fitness test; one minute of pushups then a minute of sit-ups prior to running 1.5 miles. Fairchild is awaiting their fitness scores to be announced.

Both the scores for the land time and the fitness challenge will be factored to determine the overall Rodeo winner who will be crowned at the closing ceremony July 29.

During the opening ceremony July 24, the Air Mobility Command commander addressed each of the Air Force mobility units and seven competing countries who were in flight formation - saying there's no greater assembly of the mobility profession.

Johns and Brig. Gen. Rick Martin, this year's Air Mobility Rodeo commander, did a passing review of the troops standing in the back of a vintage Air Force truck. Wearing black cowboy hats proudly displaying the U.S. Air Force Symbol complete with the appropriate number of stars, they waved at the crowed and saluted back at the flights who reported in.

At the center of the horseshoe formation, they passed in front of the U. S. Air Force Band of the Golden West of Travis AFB, Calif. Maj. Steve Harler, 92nd OSS instructor pilot, said his favorite part of the opening ceremony occurred when "The band played Aaron Copland's "Rodeo"- it was very appropriate."

For Senior Airman Richard Holder, 92nd Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller, he enjoyed the two-man parachutists from the 627th Special Tactics Squadron jumped from the back of a C-17 Globemaster III. "I thought it was pretty cool when they held the American and POW/MIA flags coming down."

A rodeo wouldn't be complete without horses. Cowboys and cowgirls from the local community rode with flags representing Belgium, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Spain and Sweden as the country was introduced. Staff Sgt. Matthew Grega, 92nd SFS base defense operations center controller, said "My favorite part was the parade of flags the participating nations. It was very ominous."

Several Fairchild squadrons are being represented this week as one team. "It's exciting to be here to compete and see up close the great job our young men and women from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing are doing...they are proud of what they do," said Van Wert. "We are also honored to have some of our Spokane civic leaders here; they are so supportive in getting everyone fired up for the competition. Not only is everyone here one big Air Mobility team, we're ensuring mission success with our international partners across the globe."