Ramstein Rallies at Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sharida Jackson
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  For most people, weekend mornings are reserved for relaxing, but competition, the sound of aircraft engines roaring, and a warehouse full of cargo is how air transportation specialists spent their Saturday morning.

Airmen from Ramstein Air Base and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany competed at the 2015 RAB Rodeo Aug. 12, here. The event is a competition aimed at showcasing skills of the air transportation career field.

After a fierce competition, the five-person team from the 721st Aerial Port Squadron ramp services edged out the 721st APS passenger services team to win the 2015 RAB Rodeo.

"It feels great to win! We competed against the other squadrons and we came out on top," said Senior Airman Adrian Diaz, 721st APS ramp services specialist. "I'm proud to be a port dawg!"

Approximately 100 personnel participated in the rodeo with each event judged by senior NCOs within the career field.  Some of the events included center of balance calculations, cargo pallet buildup, 10K forklift operations, a 50-question knowledge test, and an obstacle course.

"This is where rubber meets the road when it comes to logistics," said 1st Lt. Douglas Brown, 721st APS Air Terminal Operations flight commander.  "We wanted to get together for a fun competition as well as promote comradery amongst the port dawgs."

In a show of good sportsmanship, competitors congratulated each other after completing the event. Co-workers and friends cheered teams on throughout the competition and a barbecue was held afterward.

"The port dawg community is very small so this rodeo is very important to us," said Master Sgt. Ira Hearen, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron combat readiness section chief.  "A chance to get everyone together is special. I tell my Airmen to come out here and give it all they've got."

Winners from this year's event were:
Best overall - 721st Aerial Port Squadron (APS) ramp services team
Pallet build-up - 721st APS passenger services team 1
Knowledge test - 721st APS passenger services team 2
Center of balance - 86th LRS
60K forklift - 726th APS (Spangdahlem Air Base)
Obstacle course - 435th Contingency Response Group
10K forklift - 726th APS
Engine running on-load/offload - 721st APS ramp services team