Altus AFB hosts annual Base Cattle Drive

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Base leadership and local community members lead a herd of cattle during the annual Cattle Drive on base, Aug. 22. The Cattle Drive has been at tradition at Altus AFB since Aug. 26, 1999. During the Cattle Drive, base and local community members herd cattle throughout the base to kick off the city’s Annual Great Plains Stampede Rodeo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenneth W. Norman / Released)

Altus AFB hosts annual Base Cattle Drive

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Children from Rivers Elementary School pet a horse during the annual Cattle Drive on base, Aug. 22. The cattle drive has been a tradition at Altus AFB since 1999 represents a continued friendship between the base and local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenneth W. Norman / Released)

Altus AFB hosts annual Base Cattle Drive

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Sushil Ramrakha, 97th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, helps Byron Leistikow pet a horse during the annual Cattle Drive on base, Aug 22. More than 100 volunteers rode horses during the cattle drive, which carried on the tradition started Aug. 26, 1999 when 15 riders drove a herd of about 30 longhorn cattle through the streets of Altus AFB to kick off the Great Plains Stampede Rodeo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenneth W. Norman / Released)

Airmen drive longhorn cattle through Altus AFB

Published Aug. 22, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Klynne Pearl J. Serrano
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 15th Annual Base Cattle Drive, an event unique to Altus AFB, took place Aug. 22 to kick off the Great Plains Stampede Rodeo.

Altus Airmen and surrounding community members rode on horses to drive more than 40 longhorn cattle around the base while families, students and other base personnel watched and experienced the unique event.

The Cattle Drive is a tradition that started Aug. 23, 1999 when 15 horseback riders drove a herd of more than 30 longhorn cattle through Altus AFB.

"The Cattle Drive is tremendous," said Col. Bill Spangenthal, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander. "We had a great team effort between the base and the community to put this special event together--an event that no other Air Force Base does. It was a great opportunity for our Airmen and their families to experience. It's a ton of fun."

While the cattle and horses stopped to take a break from the Cattle Drive, spectators had the chance to pet the horses and interact with the riders.

"It was a great time," said Capt. Stuart Meyers, 54th Air Refueling Squadron instructor pilot. "It was an opportunity for the kids to see things they don't see every day and to just interact with the base and [local] community is outstanding."

The Great Plains Stampede Rodeo Military Appreciation Night is scheduled to take place later this evening. Altus Airmen and their families are encouraged to join the community with food, music and entertainment at the City of Altus rodeo grounds.

"I've never been to a rodeo I didn't like," Colonel Spangenthal said. "I can't wait to get out there [tonight] and spend a little time with my family and the local community to enjoy this great event."