Rodeo 2000: Not a drop to spare
The Rodeo enlightened added a new event to the aerial porters' forte this year -- the 10K forklift skills competition.
The event doesn't involve a standard load -- but a load that consists of a pitcher of water balanced on a bright red 2x4.
The two-man teams maneuvered their way in and out of 14 strategically placed orange cones Monday and Tuesday. One person would pick up their unique load and drive it through the tight-fit imposed by the cones and place it on a couple of sawhorses on the other end. Then the other person would drive the forklift backward through the course with no load.
The event allows for some friendly competition in the aerial port world but also increases their forklift skills, which come in handy when moving cargo around the flight line.
"We were the fast team," said Staff Sgt. Chris Addleman, 62nd Airlift Wing C-17 team from McChord AFB, Wash. "We were flying through those cones."
Addleman's teammate on the forklift is Airman 1st Class Gilbert Sotosalvidar. They compete against another 62nd AW team during the competition, who, according to Addleman, is their only real competition.
"We're going to wear out a path from our seats to the stage Friday when we're taking home the hardware," said Senior Airman Billy "Mac" McDaniel, one of Addleman's teammates.
One thing aerial porters do not lack is confidence. The event allowed for some trash talking and good-natured prodding among the teams, but there were real benefits.
"The event is to simulate moving sensitive cargo in a warehouse," said Rodeo Umpire Senior Airman Seth Abel, 43rd AW here. "I think all their practice and the competition will make them better at their jobs."
Making people better at what they do is one benefit of Rodeo, making them safer is another.
"Our event is centered around safety," said Abel. "If you move the cargo fast but bounce it off walls and columns in a warehouse, then it's no good to anyone. Teams know that we deduct a lot of points for safety violations."
There are a possible 200 points available for each team during the competition, McChord is one of five teams who scored perfect during Monday's competition.
"If there's a tie, the team with the fastest time will win the trophy," said Abel, without letting out the secret of who that team may be.
Teams lose points for hitting cones, forgetting their hearing protection or showing up late. They also lose points for spilling water.
"We allow them to spill one half inch, but for every half inch after that we take away points," said Abel.
"It's a lot harder than it looks to the casual observer."
Today is the final day of forklift competition.
The aerial porters will wrap up their competition Thursday with the combat endurance course on Fort Bragg. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
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