U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Cote, assigned to the 730th Air Mobility Squadron, ensures a truck is correctly chained down during the 515th Air Mobility Operations Group Port Dawg Rodeo at Yokota Air Base, Japan on March 1, 2023. (U.S. Air Force Air Force photo by Technical Sgt. Troy McCray) ()
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Service members from the Pacific Air Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force participated in the first Port Dawg Rodeo hosted at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 1.
Airmen from Yokota, Osan Air Base, and Kadena Air Base competed alongside members from over 11 different JASDF installations in a week-long competition. Challenges consisted of building pallets, loading and unloading vehicles onto a C130-J Super Hercules, and a forklift obstacle course.
The 730th Air Mobility Squadron, a tenant unit of the Air Mobility Command, executed the event as a goodwill exchange for both U.S. and Japan servicemembers, with goals of sharing tactics and continued collaboration between the two countries.
“Our goal is to integrate JASDF members within the rodeo teams and build cohesiveness with one another,” said Master Sgt. Vincent Sterrett, NCOIC of air freight operations for the 730th AMS. “We want to bridge that gap and forge a bond.”
The event gave the Airmen an opportunity to network, make new connections, and share best practices.
“We do this to work with our allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific, to help teach the new guys, to show off our skills, and of course, for bragging rights,” said Staff Sgt. Dustin Cote, air transportation specialist for the 730th AMS. “It’s been an honor to contribute with everyone participating. It’s been great meeting new people, I can’t wait to do it again next year.”
The 730th AMS hopes to make this an annual event moving forward to consistently sharpen Airmen skills and to maintain the alliance between the U.S. and Japan.
