Team MacDill returns from Rodeo; gets warm welcome

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Ellis
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Cheers rang and a colossal applause was heard as members from MacDill Air Force Base returned from a week-long trip to the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 30. The team was greeted by Col. David Almand, 6th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, Col. David Pavey, 927th Air Refueling Wing commander, various group commanders, other servicemembers and their families from MacDill Air Force Base. Coming down the air stairs was Col. Lenny Richoux, 6th AMW commander, who piloted the team with Lt. Col. Michael Babyak, 91st Aerial Refueling Squadron deputy director of staff and Rodeo team chief, were in the cockpit. Many were in attendance at the event, which was composed of more than 150 teams and 3,000 people to include: Air Force, Air Force Reserve and foreign nations. "The competition focuses on improving our worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities," according to the AMC website. Team MacDill competed in numerous events including: financial management, Security Forces combat weapons and tactics, an SF combat endurance course, Flight Attendant egress simulation and culinary competition, KC-135 maintenance operations and aerial refueling. MacDill's maintenance team was recognized as AMC Rodeo 2011 "Best KC-135 Maintenance Team." "I'm excited our team won the award, we worked hard all week. It wasn't easy, but we worked as a team and it paid off in the end," said Senior Airman Anthony McDowell, 6th Maintenance Squadron avionics systems journeyman. The maintainers were critiqued in every aspect dealing with maintenance and safety. The small team of only 13 prepared the jet for five sorties in a week's time frame and received a near perfect scorecard which symbolizes their dedication. "You all did great and I'm proud to be your commander," said Richoux. "We even took home some medal, which is great. Even if we didn't, I'm still proud of the hard work of each team member."