Travis Team Tops AMC Rodeo Test

Travis Team Tops AMC Rodeo Test
By Ian Thompson

TRAVIS AFB - The 60th Air Mobility Wing capped its collection of awards at the Air Mobility Command Rodeo by being named the best Air Mobility Team.

"Team Travis demonstrated pride, professionalism and our true passion for excellence at the 2007 Air Mobility Command's Rodeo competition," 60th AMW commander Col. Steve Arquiette said.

The six-day event, which was held at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., pits units from throughout AMC against each other in competitions reflecting duties that units normally perform such as loading cargo, air refueling, maintenance and security operations.

Before the big honors were announced Friday, the 60th AMW's teams collected 10 awards from 48 competitions against a host of other AMW, Marine Corps and foreign commands.

Those awards were Best KC-10 Extender Preflight Team, Best C-5 Air Refueling Aircrew, Best C-5 Postlight Team, Best C-5 Maintenance Team, Best C-5 Aircrew, Best KC-10 Air Refueling Crew, Best C-17 Engine Running Offload Team, Best KC-10 Maintenance Team, Best KC-10 Cargo Loading Crew and Best KC-10 Aircrew.

At the rousing final awards ceremony, the 60th AMW also won Best Airland Team, Best Tanker Team, Best KC-10 Team, Best C-5 Team and Best C-17 Team.

The 60th AMW's aircraft maintenance personnel also brought home the Maintenance Knucklebuster Award for their work on keeping the aircraft the 60th AMW flew to McChord in top shape.

It took more than just the 60th AMW to bring home all the awards, Arquiette said.

"While the 60th AMW won the overall 'Best of the Best,' we could not have trained and competed as strongly as we did without the great day-to-day support from our Reserve partners in the 349th AMW," Arquiette said. "The 615th Contingency Response Wing fielded strong teams as well."

The Rodeo is held every two years. McDill Air Force BAse, Fla., won the top prize in 2005.

Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.