2009 Air Mobility RODEO

Team Dover's C-17 Globemaster III prepares for takeoff at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., for a graded flying exercise July 20. The Dover AFB aircrew are competing in the 2009 Air Mobility Command RODEO, where they are graded on events aimed at flight operations including air refueling, combat offloading and assault landing. More than 100 teams are participating in the RODEO, including teams from seven foreign countries. The international combat skills and flying operations competition is designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and enhance mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis)

By the numbers

Maj. Richard Klarich, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot for the 326th Airlift Squadron, runs through his pre-flight checklist before taking off for a nighttime graded exercise July 21. The Dover Air Force Base aircrew are participating in the 2009 Air Mobility Command RODEO at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., where they are graded on events aimed at flight operations including air refueling, combat offloading and assault landing. More than 100 teams are participating in the RODEO, including teams from seven foreign countries. The international combat skills and flying operations competition is designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and enhance mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis)

Monkeying around

Senior Airman Mike Chapman, 446th Airlift Wing Rodeo Security Forces team, right, swings his way through the Tarzan portion of the Combat Endurance Competition at the McChord Air Force Base, Wash. obstacle course, July 23. The Reserve security forces team is competing in Air Mobility Command's Rodeo July 19-24. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jake Chappelle)

RODEO Reservist

Senior Airman Nathan Shelley low crawls through an obstacle during a combat endurance competition on July 23 at RODEO 2009. Airman Shelley is a Reservist assigned to the 931st Air Refueling Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. His security forces teammates at RODEO are active-duty Airmen assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, the 931st's host unit at McConnell. Eight Reservists are at McChord AFB, Wash., with 22nd ARW Airmen to represent McConnell as a total-force RODEO team for the first time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Chyrece Campbell)

Run!

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- 916TH Security Forces competitors cross the finish line strong as they complete the final leg of the Combat Endurance competition at Air Mobility Command's RODEO 2009. Security Forces teams compete against each other to find the best of the best during this week-long event. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Scotty Sweatt)

Where there's smoke

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Fireteam members from the 916th Security Forces Squadron respond to a scenario involving a possible chemical attack during a mock rescue operation. The Airmen are participating in Air Mobility Command's 2009 RODEO competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Scotty Sweatt, 916ARW/PA)