Cowboy up: 931st holds ATSO Rodeo

Published April 7, 2013
By 1st Lt. Zach Anderson
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The original rodeos of Western lore grew out of competition to see which cowboy had the best roping and riding skills.

Today, the Airmen of the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group here held their own version of a rodeo: A two-hour competition to test their ability to survive and operate in a chemical environment.

More than 100 members of the group participated in the "ATSO Rodeo," in the Robert J. Dole Center here. During the event, 931st members were trained in use of the new M50 Joint-Service General Purpose Mask and in how to properly put on and wear Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear

The training was conducted by a Total Force Emergency Management team from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the 931st ARG.

"This type of training is important to every Airman," said Tech. Sgt. Stacey Spain, 931 ARG Emergency Management. "You never know what may happen when you are deployed, and this training ensures the members ability to survive and continue to do their job even in the event of a chemical attack."

Following training in the proper method of donning the mask and MOPP gear, 931st members participated in timed competitions to see who could get "mopped up" the fastest.

"We wanted to try to take the drudgery out of the training by making it more of a competition style environment," said Maj. Martha Kuder, 931st Air Refueling Group Combat Readiness Officer and event coordinator. "And by breaking the Airmen up into teams, the ones who were watching were able to continue to learn and observe while they cheered on their teammates during the competition."

The competition was won by Lt. Col. Michael Schlotterback and Capt. Chris Kidd, from the 18th Air Refueling Squadron.