RODEO: Without cash no tanker gas

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Financial management personnel will compete for the first time in the 2011 RODEO competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 24 to 29, 2011.

McConnell's three-Airman comptroller team has been preparing for the competition the past few months and is ready to go up against other teams.

"We are fired up to go," said Staff Sgt. Rodney McInnis, 22nd Comptroller Squadron RODEO dispersing agent. "It gives us a chance to represent McConnell."

RODEO is a readiness competition that "focuses on improving our worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities," Air Mobility Command officials said. More than 150 teams and 3,000 people from the active duty, Guard, Reserve and allied forces from around the world are expected to compete.

While at RODEO, the team will perform various tasks and contingency scenarios. The scenarios could range from buying office supplies, to organizing emergency leave for personnel on deployment.

To train, we've been reviewing regulations and going over possible scenarios, said Senior Airman Katie Ward, 22nd CPTS RODEO accounting technician.

The team has spent more than 80 hours training over the past two months.

Team members were selected based on skills and abilities to complete mission responsibilities.

As a well-rounded financial team, Sergeant McInnis is a strong leader, said Major DeReus 22nd CPTS commander. Airman Ward has excellent budget experience, and Airman 1st Class Sean Graham, 22nd CPTS RODEO cashier, is extremely well versed in cashier procedures.

"We are very motivated," said Major DeReus. "We look forward to being the best financial management team there."

"I really do feel that we are the best wing in the AMC," said Sergeant McInnis. "We get to showcase what we do here and how we support the air refueling mission," said Sergeant McInnis.