Day two: 62nd AW, 627th ABG Rodeo wrap-up

Staff Sgt. Mark Robertson, center, 62nd Aerial Port Rodeo team member, directs a forklift while competing in a pallet buildup competition as part of Air Mobility Rodeo July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Rodeo is a bi-annual competition that encompasses all aspects of Air Mobility Command, including aerial port, aeromedical evacuation, maintenance, security forces, and financial management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)

Day two: 62nd AW, 627th ABG Rodeo wrap-up

Tech. Sgt. Justin Dancer, 62nd Maintenance Rodeo team member, adjusts the final screw on a simulated C-17 Globemaster III during the Maintenance Skills Competition as part of Air Mobility Rodeo July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Rodeo is a bi-annual competition that encompasses all aspects of Air Mobility Command, including aerial port, aeromedical evacuation, maintenance, security forces, and financial management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)

Day two: 62nd AW, 627th ABG Rodeo wrap-up

Rodeo umpires observe as the 62nd Aerial Port Rodeo team competes in a pallet buildup competition as part of Air Mobility Rodeo July 25, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Rodeo is a bi-annual competition that encompasses all aspects of Air Mobility Command, including aerial port, aeromedical evacuation, maintenance, security forces, and financial management. The team also competed in a 10k forklift driving course and a timed engine running on- and off-load event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)

AMC announces cancellation of Rodeo 2015

Published April 24, 2015
By 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Air Mobility Command announced today that the 2015 Rodeo readiness competition, which was scheduled to take place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August, has been canceled.

General Darren McDew, AMC commander, decided to cancel the competition largely because of the high current operations tempo for mobility Airmen and budget constraints.

"During these challenging times, we need to be good stewards of our very limited funds and our Airmen's time," McDew said. "It's unfortunate, but given the circumstances, this is the right decision. We're looking forward to the possibilities of tailoring future Rodeo events, to ensure we're getting the most training and international partnership building value from this event."

It is not the first time Rodeo has been canceled for budgetary or operational tempo reasons. In both 1988 and 2013, Rodeo was cancelled due to budgetary shortfalls, and 2003 was canceled because of worldwide commitments for the Global War on Terror and humanitarian efforts. The last Rodeo event was held at JBLM in July 2011.

"An event of this magnitude could not be successfully completed without the strong relationships built together with our community partners and businesses that support Joint Base Lewis-McChord," said Col. David Kumashiro, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "We value and appreciate our continued partnerships and very much look forward to the day when we can bring this event back to JBLM and our surrounding communities."

Rodeo competitions are held to train and improve the abilities of U.S. and international partners' air mobility operations skills while building international relationships.