Opening the doors of JBLM for Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Two Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron parachute from a C-17 Globemaster III, one carrying a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag and the other with an American flag.

Ladies on horseback hold the flags of participating foreign countries, and not to mention, the 75 degree sunny weather and Mount Rainier in the backdrop.

This was the opening ceremony of Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2011 and the start of the 62nd Airlift Wing's participation in the week-long event.

"I am thrilled to welcome you all to the Pacific Northwest and to McChord Field," said Col. R. Wyn Elder, 62nd AW commander, at Rodeo's opening ceremony July 24, 2011. "I would like to extend a special welcome to the civic leaders, the Rodeo teams themselves and especially to our international mobility partners. We are honored by your presence today at the competition."

Air Mobility Rodeo is a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world.

"The Lewis-McChord Team, including hundreds of wranglers, has been working hard for the past several months in preparation to host the largest and safest mobility competition ever," said Elder. "We are dedicated to making the first ever Rodeo on a joint base nothing short of sensational!"

This will be the first time Rodeo will be held here since joint basing, but the City of Lakewood has been a part of the competition for the past several years.

"We recognize that the competition tests the professional skills that you bring in service to your nation every day, and we appreciate all that you do for your service and your country." said Douglas Richardson, Mayor of Lakewood. "It's my privilege this morning actually to represent all the people of the South Sound region of Washington, and wish all of you the very best in your competition during Rodeo 2011."

Colonel Elder echoed Mayor Richardson's message and also wished the competitors good luck.

"We want your experience here to be both memorable and safe, and we want you to be able to focus on the competition at hand," Elder said. "We are excited to open the doors of Joint Base Lewis-McChord to you and I look forward to the best Rodeo competition ever! Good luck to all of this year's competitors, enjoy your week and let camaraderie define victory."

After the ceremony, many of the Rodeo teams switched to their physical training gear in preparation for the first event, the Fit-to-Fight competition.