Rodeo 2000: Onload/offload events hone wartime skills
The four-person aerial port teams began showing their stuff Monday as each stepped up to the line to meet their aircraft as it landed.
The competition consists of onloading and offloading aircraft in the fastest way safely possible, like they would during war. The scenario simulates quick-turn missions flown from deployed locations to get people and cargo moved around the theater fast.
The ERO event is a little different this year. Instead of teams bringing their own drivers to load Army vehicles on their aircraft, they've made it more realistic.
"The Army provided us with drivers, and the ERO teams are matched up with one using the lottery system," said Rodeo Umpire Chief Master Sgt. Manuel Ibarra, RAF Mildenhall, England.
"This is the first time the Air Force has asked for our help out here," said Army Staff Sgt. Julio Correa, ERO vehicle operator NCOIC. "I thought a Rodeo was a bull-riding competition -- until now."
All of the vehicle drivers are from Fort Bragg.
Although it would be easier for the teams to practice and use their own drivers, the soldiers are providing solid support for the aerial porters also.
"As long as you have a good guide, which we do, anyone could drive," said Senior Airman Ryan "Shepp" Sheppard, from the 615th Air Mobility Operations Group at Travis AFB, Calif.
The umpires for the event said they knew it would be more of a challenge for the teams, and that's what they wanted.
"They wanted it to be a real-world scenario, and that's what they got," said Staff Sgt. John Cottle, team chief for the returning aerial port champions from the 43rd Airlift Wing here.
Pope aerial porters had a crowd of fans cheering them on as the preformed their ERO on their home turf -- not part of the real world concept, but definitely a moral builder for the team.
They are defending their title, but Cottle said they don't feel the pressure.
"I think the pressure is on them (the other teams)," he said confidently. "If they want the trophy, they have to come into my house and take it from me." (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
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