Military News, International Falls Airman competes with ‘the best of best’ in the world

McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. — An International Falls native was hand selected to compete in the Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007, the premier international air mobility competition that draws the best of the best from air forces from all around the world.

Senior Airman Zachary Conat represents the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., in the biennial Rodeo competition which features competitive events in airdrop, air refueling, security forces, aerial port, maintenance and aeromedical evacuation.

Airman Conat, a 1999 graduate of Falls High School, competes July 22-28 in the maintenance events, which include preflight and postflight inspections, fuel servicing operations, and other daily operations.

Competitors are chosen by their commanders to represent their units.

“We have a great team participating in Rodeo. I only selected the very best Airmen here to compete,” said Col. Jerry Martinez, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

Airman Conat, a maintenance competitor, earned the right to compete in this Olympic-style event largely due to his Air Force experiences in Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and Sicily. During his deployments, Airman Conat did aircraft maintenance, performed unexploded ordinance sweeps in Iraq and escorted people to safety while under mortar and rocket fire. He earned the Air Force awards for Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Ribbon.

Airman Conat’s participation in Rodeo 2007 enables countries and units to increase interoperability by sharing best practices, and by building on relationships with international air forces. More than 45 U.S. teams will compete, along with competitors from nine countries, and more than 20 countries are sending observers.

“Rodeo gives us all the chance to improve our skills through competitive events, and in doing so it sets higher standards for the participants. At the same time, Rodeo increases fellowship among the U.S. and international teams; the goodwill that it fosters is immeasurable,” said Lt. Col. Bryan Huntsman, McChord Rodeo director.