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Coining Pope’s Finest

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Cammie Quinn
  • 43rd Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Col. James Johnson, 43rd Airlift Wing Commander, lauded Lt. Col. Jonathan Shockey, RODEO team chief, and Team Pope's RODEO team Tuesday for their outstanding performance in Air Mobility RODEO 2009. "I can't tell you how proud I am and how proud this installation is of the jobs you all have done," Colonel Johnson said at Tuesday's coining event. Colonel Johnson said he felt proud as he watched the teams put their best effort into the competition and recognized the hard work they put in to compete at such a high level. 

The RODEO, hosted at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., focused on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities. More than 2,500 people from the Air Force and Air Force Reserve participated in the week-long event, and Team Pope was right there with them, representing their skills. 

After spending weeks practicing and preparing for RODEO, Team Pope arrived at McChord ready to show Air Mobility Command they have what it takes to be the best. Members from the 43rd Operations Support Squadron Joint Airdrop Inspection, 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, 43rd and 440th Security Forces Squadrons and 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron participated in several competitions. 

The competitors of the JAI team, Staff Sgts. Christopher Scuse and Richard Miner, took home the trophy, placing them as the World Champions for the fourth time in a row. The members of the 43rd Security Forces Squadron also fought hard, as evidenced in their third place title from their competition. 

Team Pope members did an excellent job of representing Pope in the 2009 Air Mobility RODEO, and should be proud of their efforts during the week-long event.