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McChord’s Reserve unit wins best C-17 wing at Rodeo

  • Published
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The 446th Airlift Wing is the best C-17 wing in the Air Force, as announced during the 2005 Air Mobility Rodeo closing ceremony here June 24.

The Air Force Reserve Command wing received the Gen. Duane H. Cassidy Trophy for its outstanding performance in all aspects of airlift operations. These operations include security forces, aerial port operations, aircraft maintenance, aeromedical evacuation and flight crew operations.

The Air Mobility Command Rodeo June 18-24 here brought together nearly 1,000 competitors from 14 U.S. teams and six international teams. Nine international observers as well as more than 1,500 additional Airmen supported the event.

The Rodeo was an opportunity to “train for the fight” while strengthening bonds with international partners. The skills demonstrated and perfected during Rodeo are crucial to success in the ongoing war on terrorism, and key to the U.S. Air Force’s ability to provide short-notice humanitarian relief anywhere around the world, like the tsunami relief effort earlier this year, said Rodeo officials.

The title Best C-17 Wing comes on the heels of other awards earned by the reservists during Rodeo.

Right out of the chute, the 446th AW aircrew won three awards. At the awards ceremony June 23, the aircrew received Best C-17 Airdrop Team, Best C-17 Air Refueling Team and Best C-17 Aircrew awards.

Reservists from the wing’s two maintenance squadrons kept the aircrew flying throughout the week. They were rewarded with first place in the Preflight Inspection category, grabbing 599 points out of a possible 600.

“We really came together as a team and worked hard, long days to ensure we competed successfully,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ed Cruz-Segarra, maintenance team chief. “We work hard and win Rodeos.”

The wing’s aerial port team provided crucial support to the 446th AW’s winning efforts. The team finished first in the Engines Running Onload and Offload event. Known as ERO, the competition challenges participants to load and secure vehicles, such as a Humvee, on the aircraft as quickly and safely as possible. The team earned the highest score overall with 892 points out of 1,000.

The security forces and aeromedical evacuation teams’ efforts and points contributed to the wing earning the Gen. Duane H. Cassidy Trophy for Best C-17 Wing.