Altus AFB to host 16th annual Cattle Drive

 Altus Air Force Base is scheduled to host the 16th annual Cattle Drive Aug. 21, 2014 beginning at 10 a.m. at Altus AFB.

The 97th Air Mobility Wing Commander Col. Bill Spangenthal, along with other base leadership and rodeo team members, will lead more than 30 longhorn cattle on a three-mile drive on the installation, a tradition that started Aug. 26, 1999.

The Cattle Drive is held in conjunction with the 36th annual PRCA Great Plains Stampede Rodeo. The Rodeo is set for 8 p.m. nightly, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, featuring events including bull riding, barrel racing, bareback and saddle bronco riding, tie-down calf roping and steer wrestling.

Thursday will be Military Appreciation Night at the rodeo, with a free barbecue dinner held at 6 p.m. at the arena for all military and dependent rodeo ticket holders. Military personnel will also compete in a ten-person-team tug-o-war tournament. The rodeo parade starts Aug. 23 at noon on Main Street in downtown Altus.

For more information please call the 97th AMW Public Affairs office at 481-7700.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact TSgt. Roberto Velez, 97 AMW Public Affairs, at (580) 481-7700 or 97amw.pa@us.af.mil, no later than Aug. 15 to confirm attendance and coordinate base access.