RODEO: Bullets, flak, sweat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Five mentally and physically prepared men, three months of training, three phases of competition and one week to show everyone at RODEO what McConnell's Security Forces Squadron is made of.

"I'm extremely excited about RODEO," said Senior Airman Melvin Santos, 22nd SFS RODEO team member. "I'm ready to get out there and show them what we are all about."

The 2011 Air Mobility Command RODEO competition will be July 24 to 29, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Members of the 22nd SFS had to audition to become part of this year's team, completing a 15-station obstacle course and qualifying at the weapons range. The two areas of qualification, in addition to tactics, will be the three phases of competition the team will undertake while at RODEO.

"You never know what to expect out there," said Tech. Sergeant Ryan Overcash, RODEO team leader and 2009 RODEO veteran. "I feel like we are prepared, based on what we did last time."

Without knowing exactly what to expect while at RODEO, the four-man team, and one alternate, spent the past three months training on all aspects of the mission.

Security Forces personnel frequently train at the range and maintain standards of physical conditioning. For the purpose of RODEO, all aspects of training have been amplified in intensity and frequency, to include a five-day training schedule.

"None of the training is as hard and in-depth as what we do now to prepare for RODEO," said Sergeant Overcash.

A few of these "intensified" workouts include running and performing drills while wearing individual protective equipment, such as gas masks and flak vests, executing a fireman's carry for a quarter of a mile and performing aerobic exercises between firing drills while at the range.

Staff Sergeant William Lagares, 22nd SFS RODEO team member, has taken it a step further while preparing for the physical demands of competition. On the weekends, Sergeant Lagares walks with a 40 pound rucksack for three to five miles while wearing IPE.

Endurance is key. The demanding physical training increases their ability to carry on to the next obstacle while at RODEO, said Airman Santos.

"By far this is the most physically fit team I've ever worked with," said Sergeant Overcash.

While physical capabilities and firing qualifications are important, the team must also prepare for the tactics arena of competition.

Items such as weapons knowledge, Self Aid Buddy Care proficiency, mission planning and usage of a 9-Line Medical Evacuation request form have all been practiced and studied for RODEO.

After long hours of training for the challenges of RODEO, team members return to do their primary duties for the squadron.

"Not only do they have to meet my expectations on my team, but they have to go back to their shops," said Sergeant Overcash.

Working double time, rigorously training and building endurance will soon be over for the 22nd SFS team. The week-long RODEO competition is in their sights, their breathing has steadied, and they are ready to fire.

"We want to put our training to the test and show everyone what Team McConnell has to offer," said Airman Santos.