CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --
Giddy up Charleston AFB ... It's "RODEO" time!

Yes it's that time of year again. Air Mobility Command's premier flying competition is set to kick-off July 21 at McChord AFB, Wash.

The biennial event hosts United States US Armed Forces and international competitors poised in airlift, airdrop and air refueling specialties from around the world.

May 1, the Charleston Rodeo Team diligently began preparing for the events that will take place in the shadows of Mt. Rainier and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. This year's team is unique in that Charleston has never deployed a combined active and reserve team. Members from the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings will stand side-by-side as they compete together representing Team Charleston.
The Total Force concept is something we apply everyday with real-world missions. Now we're employing it in competition and I'm excited about your team's chances of bringing home some "hardware." The Rodeo competition calls for teams from operations, maintenance, aerial port, security forces, and aeromedical to compete in events such as aerial refueling and airdrop, engine running on/off-loading, combat skills, maintenance inspections and even a fit-to-fight competition similar to the Air Force physical fitness test.

New to this year's competition, and replacing the traditional, physically demanding obstacle course, are challenge courses for the port dawgs, security forces and medics.

This competition is designed not only to test the individual's physical stamina but their mental stamina as well; similar to something you may have seen on one of the reality TV shows. The course covers approximately 4 miles and obstacles range from litter carries and gas mask runs to memorization boards and Airman's Manual questions ... truly a physically and mentally demanding event.

The members that make up the individual teams are true professionals and experts in their fields. You should be proud of your representation. Although we are limited by competition rules in how many can compete, the team is a reflection of the men and women who work hard every day to move the mission and make Charleston AFB the premier base in AMC.

The combined effort over the past few months has been extraordinary. The knowledge, tactics, techniques and procedures that have been shared among members of the two wings will better prepare Charleston to accomplish its global mission. However, the team couldn't thrive without the support from you.

I'd like to send a special thanks to all the coworkers, supervisors and commanders who have supported the Rodeo team, either by taking part in our fundraisers or enduring additional hours at work. The sacrifices you made in your work sections allowing this team to focus on the competition have not gone unnoticed.

Rodeo officially begins July 21 and runs through July 28. Please join us for a send-off rally July 20 at 1 p.m. at Nosedock 1 as the team departs for the competition.