Rodeo wins give 728th bragging rights Published Aug. 14, 2007 By Senior Airman Tiffany Colburn 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Four competitors from the 728th Air Mobility Squadron were recognized for their achievements in the Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 held July 22 - 28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. "Back in April we had tryouts to see who would be selected to represent the group," said Tech. Sgt. Duane Bennett, 728th AMS NCO in charge of the Passenger Terminal. "Each AMS from all of Europe sent one or two of their best personnel to represent their base. Chief Master Sgt. Maynard, 728th AMS air terminal manager, from here and Master Sgt. Bratcher, 721st Air Mobility Operations Group, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, set up week-long tryouts and used the scores from each event to pick our five-person team." Rodeo, hosted by Air Mobility Command, is a readiness competition between U.S. and international mobility air forces. It focuses on improving war fighting capabilities and supports the Global War on Terror. The 2007 competition focused on readiness, featured airdrops, air refueling and other events showcasing security forces, aerial port, maintenance and aeromedical evacuation personnel. "AMC puts the Rodeo on every two years," said Sergeant Bennett. "If you are picked to represent your base, wing or group, they are counting on you to bring home the bragging rights until the next competition." There were 45 U.S. teams, including three from the Marine Corps and one from the Coast Guard, as well as, international competitors from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Nineteen other countries sent observer teams. Chief Maynard, team coach, Master Sgt. Isauro Delmundo, referee, Sergeant Bennett, team chief, and Staff Sgt. Jose Ortega, primary team member, represented Team Incirlik in the competition. The last biennial competition took place in June 2005 at McChord AFB. While the operations tempo remains high, Maj. Gen. David S. Gray, Air Force Expeditionary Center commander and Rodeo 2007 commander, said it's important AMC continues this key event. An important long-term benefit is increased cooperation among international air mobility forces. Collectively, the ultimate goal of the competition is to develop and improve techniques and procedures that enhance air mobility operations. Spirited competition furthers that aim, while strengthening the mutual goals and bonds of friendship developed between competing teams. The 728th team competed in the following categories: Best C-130 Engine Running On/Offload (ERO) Team -- first place Best Halverson Operator (K-Loader) -- first place Best Challenge Course Team -- first place Best Aerial Port Team -- first place Best Joint Inspection Team -- eighth out of 33 Best 10K Forklift Operator -- sixth out of 25 Best Intransit Visibility Team -- 13th out of 23 (Scott Air Force Base, Hickam AFB and McChord AFB, contributed to this article.)