TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It was a rare event, bringing all three 349th Air Mobility Wing aerial port squadrons together, the 45th, 55th and 82nd to compete in a rodeo June 18, 2016, at Travis Air Force Base.
“This rodeo is a great opportunity for us to be among our peers in aerial port, and to build camaraderie,” said Tech. Sgt. Marykathleen Olaes, 45th APS, and the event coordinator. “It’s also important that we work together because we need to know the dynamics of how we function as a whole.”
The event is significant because the three squadrons are usually divided between two Unit Training Assemblies every month, she said. It has been at least a couple decades since all three trained together.
The rodeo consisted of four challenges including Port Dawg skills, Port Dawg knowledge, fit to fight and ramp. One of the challenges allocated for joint training between the Air Force and the Army.
On the flightline, aerial porters were evaluated on their ability to safely secure six Humvees and two Light Medium Tactical Vehicles in a C-5 Galaxy. The 1397th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion (DDSB) supplied the vehicles.
During this evaluation, aerial porters such as Senior Airman Joshua Thomas, 55th APS, used the time to train the soldiers who supplied the vehicles, in proper on-load and securing of assets.
“It’s important for the aerial port and the Army to be on the same page,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Eugene Peters, 1397 DDSB. “Aerial port familiarization is key because we (Army and Air Force) often work together in real-world deployments.”
The other challenges consisted of a written knowledge test, a timed challenge of pallet building and forklift maneuvering, and an obstacle course of various physically-demanding activities.
"These events better prepare you for deployments and TDYs (temporary duty assignments),” said Master Sgt. Ross Wood, 45th APS, passenger services flight chief. “Getting the squadrons to work together allows us to get feedback, which shows us our strengths and our weaknesses.”
At the conclusion of the rodeo, the 45th APS received the “Top Dawg” award in the fit to fight, knowledge and ramp team challenges. The 55th APS received the “Top Dawg” award for the port dawg skills challenge.