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Altus Airmen back in the saddle again for day two of Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Teams from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., bucked through day two of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo with hopes of roping the best scores possible July 25.

The 54th Air Refueling Rodeo Team began the day with a cargo load competition which tested their ability to load, identify and correct multiple errors in cargo being loaded within a 90 minute time constraint.

The next to ride was the 97th Security Forces Squadron during the Combat Tactics course where a four-person team was tested in combat-critical areas that demonstrated their ability to shoot, move and communicate.

"We didn't get what we wanted to score but we did pretty well for being as young as we are," said Staff Sgt. Stephen Hebblethwaite, 97th SFS Rodeo Team chief. "Our strongest aspect was that we did not quit on anything we were doing."

The 97th SFS Rodeo Team consisted of Airmen 1st Class Joshua Sams, Scott Stickney, Eric Newland and Staff Sgt. Stephen Hebblethwaite and has only been training together for two months.

"We had a bunch of younger guys who put forth a lot of effort and were very motivated," said Master Sgt. Daniel Kille, 97th SFS Rodeo Team coach. "I am definitely not disappointed with their performance - I know they wish they could have done everything perfectly during the course, but it is what it is - you can't make up for experience and they are a young team."

Other ground events of the day included, a pallet build-up competition, forklift driving competition and Joint Air Drop Inspection competition.

Altus' 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team competed in both a pallet build-up and a forklift driving competition. During the pallet build-up competition, the team was provided random pieces of cargo which they had to place onto a pallet and prepare for air shipment in the least amount of time possible. The forklift driving competition the Airmen had to demonstrate proficiency in maneuvering a forklift through a driving course while carrying a pitcher full of water to simulate a 'sensitive' piece of cargo.

The final ground event of the day was the JAI and tested the 97th Operations Support Squadron's Rodeo Team on their ability to ensure that cargo was safe for airdrop.

Altus' AMC Rodeo Team from the 58th Airlift Squadron is scheduled to fly this evening and will be judged on their abilities to complete a personnel airdrop mission.

Editor's note: This is the third part of an eight part series.