News

Security forces dive into Rodeo

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Reed Robertson
  • 446t Airlift Wing Public Affairs
McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  "We're gonna knock the old geezer's trophy out of the trophy case," said Master Sgt. Lenny Deboma, 446th Security Forces Squadron. 

With a smirk on his face, the squadron's senior Air Reserve Technician is referring to the 1998 Rodeo trophy for the Best Security Forces Team. He believes this year's 446th Airlift Wing's Security Forces Rodeo team has a chance to capture a newer version of the trophy. 

Training provided by the Marine Corps and the Army will influence this year's 3-member security forces Rodeo team. Each Airman has infantry and small squadron tactics experience from prior military service that will prove valuable to their ability to work together and anticipate each others thoughts and actions. 

The team will be challenged in its mastery of combat tactics, a four-mile combat challenge course, and a combat weapons course. 

Tech. Sgt. Chris Pierce - prior Army, will lead Staff Sgt. Dave Roberts and Senior Airman Giovanni Garcia, both former Marines, on this year's Rodeo team. Sergeant Pierce, a repeat competitor from the last Rodeo team, is looking to share his experience and knowledge gained in Rodeo 2005 and other security forces competitions. Sergeant Pierce has twice been selected for the Air Force Reserve competition team. 

Rodeo rules say that only half of the team from the last Rodeo competition may return to compete in the upcoming competition, and two members must be in the grades E-5 and below. This year two new competitors have joined the team. 

"My job is to train our team and pass down knowledge of the different scenarios I've been tested on," Sergeant Pierce said. "Leading these guys is the easy part. They are excellent marksmen and are already in great physical shape." 

Having watched the Rodeo team in 2005, Sergeant Roberts knew he had to find a way onto the next Rodeo team. 

"I'm really excited to be on the team and prove we have what it takes to win this competition," he said. "I've been training hard for six months already and look forward to training with my team." 

Rounding out the team is Airman Garcia. Affectionately referred to as the PT stud, he brings motivation and youthful exuberance to the team. 

"We have a really well-rounded team, with a variety of backgrounds. We're eager to show off what we can do and win the trophy," Airman Garcia said. 

These men are sure to be in the best physical shape of their lives by the time Rodeo begins, and with Sergeant Pierce sharing his experiences from past competitions, the team is poised to compete well, said Sergeant Deboma. 

To hone their skill in the combat weapons category, the team will spend time over at nearby Fort Lewis training on the firing ranges and practicing responses to the different scenarios they might face during Rodeo 2007. 

One such scenario is a swinging pendulum with a balloon tied to the top. After engaging targets while running through the course, the team must shoot the balloon with one shot, thus ending that portion of the competition. 

But for this team, the Rodeo 2007 competition is over only when they replace the 1998 Best Security Forces Team trophy with a shiny new one.