Congratulations RODEO Team Published July 31, 2009 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Airlift Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command just finished a week-long competition known as RODEO and two of our very own outstanding pilots earned first place honors as the Best OSA/VIPSAM Aircrew. What that means is that Capts. Tony Marshall and Mike Trodden of the 311th Airlift Squadron (one of our DV hubs at Peterson AFB, Colo.) earned the best Operational Support Airlift/ VIP Special Air Mission team, beating out many other C-21 and Gulfstream pilots from around the Air Force. Having competed in RODEO before, I know how exacting and precise one must be to win a competition such as this. It literally comes down to seconds in timing and being able to land on a dime. During the competition they needed to land 1,500 feet down the runway plus or minus 250 feet, land within plus or minus two seconds of their designated landing time and stop the aircraft plus or minus five seconds of their designated block in time--basically the time to drop off a DV. They also competed--and maxed out--their scores in the fit to fight portion, which coincides with the Air Force fitness test. That consisted of a test of push-ups, sit-ups and a mile and a half run and is scored similarly. It all comes down to disciplined precision, and that is the hallmark of our wing. We provide precise and reliable airlift for our senior leaders and these fine captains have represented Team Scott well! While Scott AFB did not have a large contingent participating in the RODEO, we did play a crucial role in ensuring the teams were well organized as our communications experts provided behind the scenes support , and our broadcast, photographer and journalists helped tell the RODEO story throughout the week. We are proud to support such a fantastic event that included seven international teams and brought in historical legends such as retired Col. Gail Halvorson, also known as the "Candy Bomber" from the Berlin Airlift of 1947, original Tuskegee Airmen retired Lt. Cols. Bill Hollomon and Edward Drummond Jr., and three veterans of the Doolittle Raiders of April 1942 - retired Lt. Cols. Richard Cole and Edward Saylor and retired Maj. Thomas Griffin. How awesome to be able to talk with these heroes! There were more than 2,500 competitors as well as hundreds of community leaders who spent the week with the teams and our Air Force showed the excellence in all we do! AMC commander, Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, said the competition was also important as it showcased the command's contingency response wings since they are among the "first to go" when the nation calls. I echo the commander's comments when he praised the people who made RODEO happen. I know that's it fun to be there and be competitive, but when all said and done it's really about being in a great environment for learning and working with many of our nation's partners, which is a tremendous opportunity. General Lichte said, "It's the people on the ground pushing the mission every day. It all does come down to people. To have those extra skills competing, it's just like any other event, it raises the spirit of everybody. People who come here have taken the opportunity to train back at their home station. They picked the brains of everyone within that wing to put the best team forward. And when they go back with all their lessons learned, they share that with their units. So in my mind it is a win for everybody." Indeed it is a win for everybody, but we're especially proud of our 311th AS teammates! Congratulations on a job well done! Air Power!