Civic leaders get firsthand look at Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  More than 50 local civic leaders and visiting guests from Air Mobility Command bases around the nation took part in a tour of McChord Tuesday to watch Rodeo
activities. 

The tour was designed to give civic leaders a taste of what goes on here during Rodeo, said public affairs officer Bud McKay, 62nd Airlift Wing. 

"They support us day in and day out, so we wanted to get them out here and show them what all the 'yee haw-ing' is about this week," Mr. McKay said. 

The visitors had the opportunity to see two Rodeo competitions and experience a convoy demonstration by the 62nd Security Forces and Logistics Readiness Squadrons.
At the first stop, they gathered around the open tail of a C-17 Globemaster III to watch an aeromedical unit from the 446th Airlift Wing compete against the clock to configure the aircraft for a medevac flight. 

"That was pretty neat because I'd never seen something like that before," said civic leader and retired colonel, Joe Tucker. "It was interesting to see the enthusiasm involved with the competition." 

After viewing the aeromedical competition, the visitors were bussed to a staging area where they suited up in 25-pound flak vests and helmets for a demonstration
of what it's like on a real convoy in Iraq. 

"We want to give you guys a firsthand account of what our Airmen are dealing with down range," Master Sgt. Mike Keeler, 62nd SFS, told the visitors before they
reboarded the bus. 

Colonel Tucker said wearing the vest helped bring the demonstration closer to home. 

"I hadn't worn a flak vest since the Vietnam War," he said. "They're a bit heavier now." 

Surrounded by Humvees from the front and the rear, the buses traveled to a wilderness area south of the runway, along the way encountering detonating simulated improvised explosive devices and enemy insurgents firing at the bus. After arriving at an open field, the visitors were treated to another interactive demonstration and got a chance to shake hands and meet the Airmen participating. 

The last stop gave the civic leaders a chance to watch Airmen perform an engine-running combat off-load of a C-5 Galaxy. Visitors also had the option to get a more personal view of Rodeo as the bus dropped everyone off at Rainier Ranch to conclude the tour. At the ranch, they had the opportunity to snack on appetizers, talk to the international competitors and visit their tents. 

The entire experience was enlightening and gave visitors a feel for Rodeo and the challenges Airmen face while deployed, said one of the civic leaders.