VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
The 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently held a teambuilding, competitive “rodeo”, here, July 29.
Essentially a timed obstacle course, the LRS rodeo pitted three teams of four Airmen against each other to accomplish various LRS-related tasks while organizers took note of each team’s overall time.
“It’s basically an obstacle course where the team starts off rotating tires on a vehicle then, once it’s deemed safe, they come to two big fire truck tires and roll them onto a pallet,” said Senior Airman Anthony Diaz, 30th LRS vehicle operator. “Once they get the tires secured to the pallet, they lift it with a forklift and set it on a tractor trailer. The last thing they do is pick a ball up with the forklift, maneuver through an obstacle and then sit the basketball on the top of a cone. Once the forklift is shut off, they get their time. The biggest thing is making sure everything is safe throughout the course. It doesn’t matter if it’s done slow, as long as it’s safe.”
Although the competition had a morale building aspect, the event also proved to be a useful familiarization of day-to-day occupational tasks and safety considerations.
“Events like our squadron rodeo are not just good for morale, they help increase proficiency which will in-turn reduce incidents and accidents,” said Lt. Col. Alfredo Laboy, 30th LRS commander. “This event is another way to help build skills that may be required here at Vandenberg, or at austere locations. This rodeo was a competition among LRS Airmen meant to prepare them for unique mission challenges and build teamwork and communication skills.”
Reinforcing the Air Force priority of taking care of its most valuable resource – Airmen -- the event proved to be a rejuvenating experience for those involved.
“Everyone gets to experience other jobs within LRS and gain a better appreciation of what we all do,” said Diaz. “It’s all about getting out and having some fun together through a little competition. I think it’s very important to have a rejuvenating day like this. It helps us take a break and come back to work with even more focus and determination.”
In the past, the LRS rodeo has been an annual event. Current LRS leadership however, understands the positive impact this event can have on his unit and hopes to increase the frequency of the function.
“One LRS rodeo a year is not enough,” said Laboy. “We are planning to have a rodeo every quarter and open up this competition to nearby Logistics Readiness Squadrons, like the 60th LRS from Travis Air Force Base, for an annual challenge starting in summer 2017. In the 30th LRS, we believe in empowering our junior enlisted. In addition to helping our Airmen maintain and improve their proficiency and boost morale, this quarterly event will provide leadership opportunities for Senior Airmen and below. The expectation is to have a different Airman lead a rodeo with Senior NCO oversight. Our next LRS rodeo is scheduled for December.”