CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The C-17 Composite Rodeo Team was assembled in April 2007 to compete in the Mobility Air Forces' Airlift Rodeo competition. We took a new approach to the competition and created a combined team of active-duty Airmen, traditional Reservists and Air Reserve technicians. The intent was to reduce manpower and equipment strains on the maintenance community during the preparation and competition period.
In September, our team of maintenance professionals was back in the saddle competing in Washington, D.C., for the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Air Force and is presented during the Air Force Association's annual convention. Nine maintainers from five active-duty, reserve and tenant units were there representing Team Charleston.
Twenty teams total were in D.C. to compete representing every major command and each group faced significant competition prior to their arrival. Our maintainers earned the right to compete for the main award after winning the Air Force Reserve Command Team Excellence Award. Team Charleston was clearly the top choice of AFRC and would face the best the Air Force had to offer.
Our team was asked to prepare a 15-minute presentation for a panel of general officers and civilian equivalent members. It was followed by a 10-minute question and answer session where we could be asked to explain our process improvements and methods. Additionally, the team was required to create and man an exhibition booth at the AFA convention where we could share our story with the general public by demonstrating the benefits of a composite team approach. It took a lot of hard work and time to produce a polished presentation and Team Charleston once again performed exceptionally.
In the end, Charleston was not one of the teams to earn the coveted award. The extra time put into the presentation and the time away from your friends, families and co-workers was not in vain. It was truly an honor just to be selected to compete at the highest level in the Air Force and represent Charleston. But, ultimately, what made this experience special was the ability to show a true reflection of Charleston AFB and how we really operate on a daily basis. I have personally learned a great deal from this experience and I am impressed to think of just how much a group of determined Airmen can accomplish.
We all represent the very best a composite team approach provides ... one team, one mission, one fight. I want to thank all Team Charleston members who assisted during our preparations and while we were gone; I especially want to thank the team. We are a total force of civilian, active-duty and reserve Airmen ... taking the fight to the enemy!