Team Altus named best AMW at 2011 AMC Rodeo

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, speaks to members of Altus' 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Team and other spectators on the flight line here after returning from the 2011 AMC Rodeo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wash., July 30, 2011. Team Altus returned from the 2011 AMC Rodeo with 10 awards, including the top honor of "Best Air Mobility Wing". (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs)

Team Altus wins 2011 AMC Rodeo

The 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Team from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., poses with the “Best Air Mobility Wing” award during the Closing Ceremony of the 2011 AMC Rodeo July 29. Team Altus won a total of 10 awards during the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Airman 1st Class Eric Newland, 97th Security Forces Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., climbs the last part of a weaver obstacle during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Combat Endurance Competition July 28. The CEC included 18 obstacles, four Combat Skills, a 1.2 mile run that tested the team on physical conditioning and field craft skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sgt. Michael Ladrigan, Airman 1st Class Joshua Verran and Senior Airman William Martineau, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team members from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., carry water coolers filled with water as part of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. During the Challenge Course, the five-man team from 97th LRS ran a 3.6 mile, 14-obstacle course intended to challenge their physical ability and team work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Airman 1st Class Joshua Verran, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., carries palette shoring from one location to a second station at a physical challenge station as part of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. During the Challenge Course, the five-man team from 97th LRS ran a 3.6 mile, 14-obstacle course that challenged their physical ability and team work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., assembles items onto a palette during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. During the Challenge Course, the five-man team from 97th LRS ran a 3.6 mile, 14-obstacle course that challenged their physical ability and team work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Airman 1st Class Joshua Verran, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., carries pallets from one location to a second location several meters away at a challenge station as part of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. During the Challenge Course, the five-man team from 97th LRS ran a 3.6 mile, 14-obstacle course that challenged their physical ability and team work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sgt. Eric Sims, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., searches for simulated unexploded ordinances in tall grass at a challenge station during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. During the Challenge Course, the five-man team from 97th LRS ran a 3.6 mile, 14-obstacle course that challenged their physical ability and team work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Altus stands tough throughout fifth day of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Senior Airman Eric Hazlewood, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., pushes it out during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. During the Challenge Course, the five-man team from 97th LRS ran a 3.6 mile, 14-obstacle course that challenged their physical ability and team work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rode Public Affairs)

Team Altus rides through day four of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 54th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla., takes flight from McChord Field for evening competitions at the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 27. The crew will be judged on their ability to properly air refuel another aircraft, perform an instrument approach and other timed exercises during this flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Team Altus rides through day four of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo umpires watch as Staff Sgt. Eric Sims, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., backs a 25k Halvorson into a C-17 Globemaster III during the engine running on-load and off-load event July 27. This timed event simulates expedient on-load and off-load of cargo in a wartime environment using a five member team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Team Altus rides through day four of 2011 AMC Rodeo

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Joshua Fraser, 97th Maintenance Directorate KC-135 Rodeo Team member, inspects a piece of flight line support equipment during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Maintenance Skills Course July 27. The MSC tests maintenance teams on their ability to complete day-to-day tasks while under a time constraint. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Shootout at the Rodeo corral

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Airman 1st Class Eric Newland, 97th Security Forces Squadron Rodeo Team member, shoots it out at the corral during the Combat Weapons course at the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 27 while a Rodeo umpire watches for mistakes and missed targets. The SF squadron has a team of four competing at Rodeo for top scores and this course tested competitors’ accuracy and basic weapon skills within short time limits. (Courtesy photo / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs)

Shootout at the Rodeo corral

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Airman 1st Class Joshua Sams, 97th Security Forces Squadron Rodeo Team member, shoots it out at the corral during the Combat Weapons course at the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 27 while a Rodeo umpire watches for mistakes and missed targets. The SF squadron has a team of four competing at Rodeo for top scores and this course tested competitors’ accuracy and basic weapon skills within short time limits. (Courtesy photo / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs)

Team Altus spurs through third day of AMC Rodeo competition

JOINT BASES LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sgt. Michael Ladrigan, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., directs driver, Staff Sgt. Eric Sims to a high line loading dock July 26, 2011 at the 25k Halvorson driving course during the 2011 AMC Rodeo. During the event, operators demonstrated their proficiency in maneuvering the vehicle around obstacles, followed by precisely aligning and unloading pallets in a highline dock area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Team Altus spurs through third day of AMC Rodeo competition

JOINT BASES LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sgt. Michael Ladrigan, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., directs driver, Staff Sgt. Eric Sims as teammate Senior Airman Eric Hazlewood and a Rodeo umpire look on July 26, 2011 at the 25k Halvorson driving course during the 2011 AMC Rodeo. During the event, operators demonstrated their proficiency in maneuvering the vehicle around obstacles, followed by precisely aligning and unloading pallets in a highline dock area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

97 SFS Airmen prepare for 2011 AMC Rodeo Combat Tactics course

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – (L to R) Airmen 1st Class Joshua Sams, Scott Stickney, Eric Newland and Staff Sgt. Stephen Hebblethwaite, 97th Security Forces Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Rodeo Team discus their plan before competing in the Combat Tactics course during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 25. During the Combat Tactics competition, four-person teams were tested in combat-critical areas that demonstrate each team's ability to shoot, move and communicate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Altus wrangles first day of AMC Rodeo competition

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Brice Parker, Jeffrey Cunningham, Shawn Pyle and Pete Chase, 97th Maintenance Directorate Rodeo team members inspect tool boxes during one of many tasks of the Maintenance Skills Competitions as part of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 24, 2011. Rodeo is the U.S. Air Force's and Air Mobility Command’s premier international combat skill and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and interoperability, while optimizing international mobility partnerships and enhancing mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Altus wrangles first day of AMC Rodeo competition

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The 2011 Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Rodeo team stand in formation during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 24, 2011. A total of seven teams from the 97th Security Forces Squadron, 97th Maintenance Directorate, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 54th Air Refueling Squadron and 58th Airlift Squadron are competing in multiple events July 24-29 that are designed to get the best from the best. AMC Rodeo is the U.S. Air Force's and Air Mobility Command’s premier international combat skill and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and interoperability, while optimizing international mobility partnerships and enhancing mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Public Affairs)

Altus wrangles first day of AMC Rodeo competition

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – (L to R) Master Sgt. Toby Thompson, 97th Training Squadron, Senior Master Sgt. Michael Cumberland, 97th Operational Support Squadron and Master Sgt. Chris Rueckert, 54th Air Refueling Squadron prepare the evening's chuck wagon for Team Altus following the first day of competion at the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 24. Air Mobility Rodeo is the U.S. Air Force's and Air Mobility Command’s premier international combat skill and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and interoperability, while optimizing international mobility partnerships and enhancing mobility operations. Altus AFB has a total of seven teams in the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert / Released / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs)