Team McGuire welcomes Rodeo 2007 competitors home Published July 30, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Team McGuire welcomed home its Airmen July 28 after a week-long visit to McChord AFB, Wash., for the Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007 competition July 21-27. Members from the 305th Air Mobility Wing, 514th Air Mobility Wing (Air Force Reserve Command) and the 621st Contingency Response Wing participated in the competition events. "Rodeo 2007 was a blast," said Master Sgt. Michael Hobbs, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron KC-10 maintenance team chief. "It was a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun, too." Although his maintenance team didn't walk away with any first-place awards, they did come in second in every event. Sergeant Hobbs said it's a testament to the training and hard work of the troops. "These are the hardest-working guys out there, putting in 14-16 hour days. They did an amazing job, and it was a great experience for all of us." "We really gained more team building skills at Rodeo," Sergeant Hobbs said. "We took 16 guys of various skills and experience and turned them into a very slick and cohesive team." Sergeant Hobbs' co-team chief seemed to agree. "Rodeo was a great way for me as a young lieutenant to see how it works and how the teams work together," said 1st Lt. Robert Hwang, 605 AMXS maintenance team chief. "I think our team has grown closer together. If I had to do Rodeo again, I would definitely take the same team. Rodeo was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience." The 305th Security Forces Squadron team, Tech. Sgt. Chris Wright, team leader, Senior Airman Andrew Prunitis and Senior Airman Peter Midura, all 305 SFS Phoenix Ravens, was awarded the "Best Combat Challenge Team" award for the combat challenge, formerly known as the obstacle course. "I'm really proud of my troops," Sergeant Wright said. "We trained really hard for Rodeo, and I'm happy the hard work paid off. It was definitely worth it." Al Kernagis, Tommy B. McGuire Foundation member and an accompanying McGuire Rodeo civic leader, said he was very impressed with the whole team. "As an observer, I was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm, the youth of our Airmen and their dedication to the profession. These 18-, 19-, 20-year-olds are completely committed to their jobs - it's very impressive," he said. "As a former New Jersey state trooper, I was especially impressed with the security forces team. They all had life experience that impressed me and the responsibilities and pressure they handle - it's incredible. "I was very proud to be a part of the McGuire Rodeo 2007 team to witness all they accomplished," Mr. Kernagis said. "Just to see our men and women and how they perform under physical and mental stress - the level of efficiency they reach - it was amazing to see. I was honored to be a representative of McGuire." The 514th Air Mobility Wing maintainers also received an award for "Best KC-10 post-flight team" during Rodeo 2007. The Rodeo competition focused on readiness, and featured airdrop, air refueling and other events showcasing security forces, aerial port, maintenance and aeromedical evacuation personnel. In addition, the event also provided critical war-fighter training and skills enhancement in all aspects of mobility operations. More than 40 teams participated in this year's event, including active-duty and Reserve Air Force, Air National Guard and Allied Nations to demonstrate their capabilities as they competed against each other. In addition, AMC's Rodeo was an opportunity to "train for the fight" while strengthening bonds with international partners.