MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- What do hot tea, warm cheese, energetic music and volleyballs have in common? They’re all from around the world and they’re all here at Air Mobility Rodeo 2005.
Almost 900 competing airmen from the United States and six international teams have descended on McChord Air Force Base, Wash., for Rodeo. Each team has brought along tasty, attractive or otherwise interesting pieces of its culture for display and sharing.
A very social 40-man Royal Saudi Air Force team flew in on two C-130 aircraft, bringing with them various items that embody their culture.
Central to the Saudi mission here is friendship building, said Saudi Col. Ali Al-Amri, mission commander.
Along that vein, they brought copious amounts of dates, tea, coffee and other dishes to share. Step into their ornately decorated Rainier Ranch tent and you’ll get a sense of Saudi culture flowing from their dishes, rugs and pillows.
“We like to bring a piece of our heritage with us wherever we go to show people our home,” said Colonel Al-Amri.
The Saudi air force won best international team at 1998’s Rodeo and the team this year hopes to repeat that victory. “We will win” is a common refrain in the Saudi camp.
Thirty-one Brazilians arrived on one C-130 with teams to compete in engine-running off loads, the combat endurance course, and maintenance and joint airdrop inspections.
The Brazilian tent at Rainier Ranch is recognizable by the lively music that comes from within. The team generously provides one of its lemon-flavored liquid delicacies called Caipirinha.
The team, sponsored by the 4th Airlift Squadron here, has been participating in Rodeo since 1985 and is strong in the air events, said Brazilian Maj. Marco Aurelio, chief of the 21st Troop Transportation Group.
“We like to help people,” said Major Aurelio. “It is very important to enjoy life and we want to build a future of good relationships with everybody.”
The 28-member French team arrived in unusual style by C-160 Transal. The C-160 looks like a two-engine version of the more familiar C-130. The team has pilots, combat camera, technical maintenance and paratroopers.
“We want to showcase our flying experience gained in the last four years,” said French Warrant Officer Stephane Froidure, a public affairs specialist. “We’ve learned a lot about fight flight (combat flying) in Afghanistan and humanitarian missions in Ivory Coast, Indonesia and Congo.”
The French tent is a self-contained Paris square-style bistro complete with red wine and cheese.
The French are very proud of their history and tradition of getting through walls of problems said Warrant Officer Froidure.
Twenty Pakistani airmen traveled to Washington on a C-130E. Their team includes pilots, navigators, engineers and maintenance technicians. The team expects to do well in the paratrooping, spot landing and short-field landing events.
“We want to maximize the number of trophies and be the best international team,” said Pakistani Wing Commander Akbar Shoaib, team leader.
Their Rainier Ranch tent is stocked with rich Pakistani tea, which is similar in taste to cappuccino, and special beef and grain combination dishes.
“Enlightened moderation is our roadmap for Pakistan,” said Commander Shoaib.
According to Commander Shoaib, Pakistan is a country with diverse climate and elevation, and proud people. The Crescent moon on its flag symbolizes prosperity and the star, new horizons. It is a new horizon of friendship they hope to discover here.
About 50 Royal Air Force airmen from the United Kingdom marshaled into McChord on a C-130 Mark III. The Mark III is a stretch version of the standard C-130. The crews expect to excel in the flying events.
Their hopes include making friends and cementing already laid foundations, said Senior Aircraftsman Ben Fort, supply specialist. Among their more lofty hopes is to “beat the Yanks” said Aircraftsman Fort.
Those visiting the British tent at Rainier Ranch will experience a pub-type atmosphere.
They’ve enjoyed their time in America so far and look forward to the competition, said Aircraftsman Fort. “Our party is gonna kick,” added Junior Technician Philip Payne, aircraft electrician.