Team Dover gears up for Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Many Team Dover members are preparing for The Air Mobility Rodeo, scheduled for July 23 - 30 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., which is comprised of a multitude of competitive events.

Team Dover Airmen from maintenance, finance, air crew and more will be packing up a C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Supergalaxy to compete with more than 150 teams and 3,000 people from the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and allied nations.

"The goal of the Air Mobility Rodeo is camaraderie," said Maj. Patrick Schuldt, 3rd Airlift Squadron Rodeo team chief. "We'll head there, compete, share information with our peers - all while representing the excellence of Team Dover. We're hoping to bring home some trophies."

While the majority of the score for the event is centered on the aircrew and their handling of the aircraft, the rest of the team will be hard at work securing the rest of the points needed to win the day.

"There is even a physical fitness competition worth two percent of the score," said Major Schuldt. "It will be me and four other of our Airmen going up against the other teams. I think we'll do well."

The Team Dover aerial port and maintenance teams are practicing every day for their role in the Rodeo. The C-5M maintenance team, a blend of active duty and reserve Airmen, was handpicked by Master Sgt. Jim Blake, 512 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief to the C-5M flying out to the Rodeo.

"The group of maintainers I have selected are by far the most motivated and are highly skilled," said Sergeant Blake. "While the aircraft is often used for missions due to its capabilities, when it is on the ground, we are diligently performing inspections, fixing any problems, cleaning and practicing our procedures."

So far, all of the quality assurance presentations for the C-5M have had a 100-percent pass rate, said Sergeant Blake.

"I have worked with our quality assurance and maintenance supervision to come out to the aircraft at any time to inspect," said Sergeant Blake. "If we find anything wrong, we fix it. Everyone on the team knows their job, and they all take great pride in getting this outstanding aircraft ready for the Rodeo."

With so many teams working hard to prepare for Rodeo, it could be easy to forget about the individual Airmen. Master Sgt. Brandon Trolinder, 436th Operation Support Squadron C-5M Formal Training superintendant, said that isn't so.

"This is a great opportunity for us to recognize our best and brightest at Dover Air Force Base, Del.," said Sergeant Trolinder. "We can recognize those hard workers who might not normally receive it by having them represent Team Dover at the Rodeo."