RODEO 2009: Team Dover port dawgs wrangle RODEO obstacle course

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  With Mount Rainier in the background and the warm Washington sun overhead, Team Dover aerial porters worked together to drive a 60K loader through a tight obstacle course July 20 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. 

Port dawgs from the 512th and 436th Airlift Wings are competing against other aerial port squadrons across the country as part of the Air Mobility RODEO July 19-25. 

More than 100 teams are participating in RODEO, including teams from seven foreign countries. The international combat skills and flying operations competition is designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and enhance mobility operations. 

In their second event of the week, the Dover aerial port team was tasked with driving a 60K loader around a winding series of cones and then offloading several pallets onto a platform. The Dover aerial porters were scored on safety, time and cone avoidance. 

Senior Airman Coban Goertz, 46th Aerial Port Squadron, drove the 60K loader during the event and contributed to the overall team effort. 

"I couldn't see a whole lot from where I was, but I think it all went well," said Airman Goertz. "The spotters all did a pretty good job." 

Six weeks prior to coming to the RODEO, the team trained to prepare for the events they'd be competing in, which also includes inspecting cargo to ensure air worthiness and processing simulated passengers. 

The aerial port team chief, Master Sgt. Samuel Louie, 436th APS, trained and joined the team at the RODEO to provide overall leadership. 

"Our job (as aerial porters) is important, and we have to make sure the flight line is running smoothly," said Sergeant Louie. "Although we had some issues, we're still contenders in this competition." 

With an overall score of 305 out of 500, it's still early to tell how the team has placed in comparison to the other squadrons. 

"We'll definitely learn from our mistakes," said Sergeant Louie. "This is a young team." 

As the competition moves on, the Team Dover port dawgs have a chance to show off their abilities in the events to come. With the extensive training and preparation, the team presses on in hopes for a potential victory in the horizon.