COMMENTARY>>Let’s celebrate our success

By Col. Greg Otey
19th Airlift Wing commander

Today, I invite every Combat Airlifter to celebrate the success of Team Little Rock’s participation in Air Mobility Command’s 2009 RODEO competition. We brought home a combined total of nine awards, once again proving our place as THE center of C-130 excellence.

These awards, without question, reinforce what we have long known — the fact that Little Rock Air Force Base is the home of C-130 Combat Airlift. I am so proud of our teams and the men and women of the Rock, who make our Combat Airlift mission happen.

We sent roughly 110 of our Airmen to McChord AFB, Wash., to compete, but they didn’t win alone. It took months of training and the unwavering support of every person at The Rock to accomplish this mission. The Airmen who competed were an extension of the C-130 excellence Team Little Rock provides America every day and we can be proud to be considered the best of the best.

Our Combat Airlifters are mobility partners with the rest of Air Mobility Command. We definitely have a dog in the fight, as AMC aircraft are currently flying 66 percent of all aircraft missions in the on-going war effort. Last week, our Airmen again proved that we can stay in the fight - providing unrivaled Combat Airlift - while still demonstrating our skills to a large, international audience.

Now that we’re home safely, it’s time to celebrate.

Please join me and the rest of Team Little Rock’s 2009 RODEO Team at the Conference Center today at 3:30 p.m. This free event is our way of saying “Thank You” to the entire base community for all their support. Our RODEO team could not have done it better - and they could not have done it without you!

Team Little Rock – Combat Airlift!