17th annual Cattle Drive makes its way through Altus AFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon Davis
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --   Altus AFB and members of the local community took to the streets to drive more than 30 longhorn cattle throughout the base during the 17th Annual Cattle Drive Aug. 20, 2015.

During the cattle drive, base military leaders, alongside cowboys and cowgirls
participating in the 38th annual Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Great Plains Stampede Rodeo, drove the cattle approximately 3.5 miles around the base to put on a show for members of Altus AFB.

The cattle drive began near the softball fields and made its way alongside the flightline, the golf course, through base housing and finally passed by the youth center and Rivers Elementary School.

Airmen and their families watched as the parade of cattle was herded past.

"I would say the event strengthens the partnership between the base and the community and it just shows that not everything is work; we also get to do some play as well," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Powell, 97th Air Mobility Wing command chief. "My favorite part about the cattle drive is stopping by the school and seeing the children. To see their faces light up when they see those big longhorns come through, and then get the opportunity to pet some horses. It's just something you don't see every day."

The base cattle drive is unique to Altus AFB and signifies the start of the PRCA Great Plains Stampede Rodeo. Each year, the cattle herded through the base gates are driven from Bull Watkins' ranch to the rodeo grounds to participate in competitions. The tradition began on Aug. 26, 1999 with 15 riders to herd the cattle through the base and has grown since to become the base-community event it is today.

"No other base gets to do this. What other command chief can say they get to get out of the office and sit on a horse for about an hour and ride through the base and see everybody on base and let them see the relationship that we have with the community."