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JB MDL Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

Senior Airman Eliezer Santiago, 305th Aerial Port Squadron, tackles one of the obstacles during the Rodeo 2011 Aerial Port Challenge Course. He and his teammates ran 3.6 miles and completed 14 obstacles, challenging their physical ability and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Carolyn Glover/Released)

Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

Rodeo teams were welcomed home by friends, family and fellow servicemembers at an arrival ceremony Saturday. The 621st Contingency Response Wing and Team McGuire Security Forces teams were named the best in their respective categories at Air Mobility Rodeo 2011. Other JB MDL victories include: Best Security Forces Combat Tactics (Team McGuire), Best Advanced Designated Marksmen (621 CRW), Best Joint Inspection (621 CRW), Best KC-10 Aircrew Cargo Load (Team McGuire), Best SPICE (621 CRW) and Best HELAMS (621 CRW). (U.S. Air Force Photo by Kimberly Wright/Released)

Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

Staff Sgt. Trevor Casebolt, 87th Security Forces Squadron, celebrates the team's victory after the Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 Awards Ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Team McGuire's SFS team was named the best of 28 SF teams at Rodeo this year. Other team members were: Master Sgt. Chris Wright, team chief, Tech. Sgt. James Chubb, Senior Airman Dana Corriveau and Airman 1st Class Morgan Buckley. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Carolyn Glover/Released)

Cuts drive officials to cancel AMC 'Rodeo'

Published March 14, 2013
By 2nd Lt. Alexis McGee
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Air Mobility Command officials announced March 13 the 2013 Air Mobility Rodeo scheduled for late July in Washington state is canceled due to budget shortfalls.

This announcement comes just weeks after sequestration went into effect initiating across-the-board budget cuts in many government agencies, including the DOD.

"It is unfortunate with the current financial situation that our Airmen will be unable to benefit from the outstanding training opportunity Rodeo provides," said Col. Richard Williamson, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. "Our Airmen always look forward to the event because they are able to demonstrate their career field successes to other base service members and international partners."

The biennial readiness competitions in the past have provided an opportunity for civic leaders to show their support for the Airmen who live and work in their local areas.

"We have sincerely appreciated all the support community members have provided to our Airmen during Rodeo in past years," said Williamson. "Community events, like Rodeo, allow us to directly show our Airmen's outstanding knowledge to local leaders."

Past Rodeos have been canceled for budgetary or operational tempo reasons. Rodeo 2003 was canceled because of worldwide commitments for the Global War on Terror and humanitarian efforts; and in 1988 due to budget shortfalls. Rodeo competitions are held to train and improve the abilities of U.S. and international partners' air mobility operations while building international relationships.

Rodeo challenges Airmen in various career-specific events including aerial port endurance, combat endurance and combat tactics. JB MDL Airmen have a history of strong performance at the Rodeo, claiming "Best Security Forces Team," "Best KC-10 Cargo Loading Team" and "Best Combat Tactics Team" during the 2011 Rodeo.

Three air mobility symposia scheduled the week before Rodeo are also canceled.

More than 20 U.S. teams and a dozen allied nations scheduled to participate will be notified of the cancelation through appropriate channels, officials said.

Editors Note: This article includes excerpts from"'Rodeo' competition canceled'" published March 13, 2013, on Air Mobility Command's website. The original article is located here.