Photo By Staff Sgt. Victoria Cowan | U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members compete in the Center of...... read more read more
The third annual Port Dawg Rodeo, co-hosted by the 515th Air Mobility Operations Group and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, took place at Yokota Air Base, Japan during the week of March 17, 2025.
In the four-day event, Airmen in the 2T2 Air Transportation career field from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron, 731st Air Mobility Squadron, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Aerial Port JASDF service members participated in facility tours, exchanged aerial port operational skills, competed in several Aerial Port events, and built connections with counterparts.
Before the competition kicked off, participating Port Dawg Rodeo members took a tour of the 730 AMS’s Air Freight Warehouse to learn about the capabilities of the Materiel Management Handling System that has been utilized to expedite and increase efficiency of cargo operations for ten years at Yokota Air Base. The group toured a JASDF cargo warehouse, a CH-47J Chinook hangar, and climbed aboard a Kawasaki C-2 at Iruma Air Base located in Sayama, Japan.
Additionally, the facilities tour continued at the 374th LRS’s Cargo Mobility Flight warehouse where members learned about Air Force airdrop capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific. In the final stop of the tour, the teams were briefed by 459th Airlift Squadron on the UH-1N Iroquois and C-12J Huron aircraft and the passenger transportation, aeromedical evacuations, and search and rescue capabilities at Yokota Air Base.
The Port Dawg Rodeo competition consisted of several challenging events, including a 10K Standard Forklift Driving Course, Aircraft Loading, Halverson 25K Loader Reconfiguration, Pallet Build-Up, Center of Balance Marking, and Port Dawg Fitness Challenge. The teams integrated 515 AMOG, 374 LRS, and JASDF members to give participants the opportunity to work with allies, encourage adaptability, problem solve, and operate in a diversified and dynamic environment.
The Port Dawg Rodeo was designed to test the knowledge and skills of members in the Air Transportation AFSC, foster camaraderie by working as a team, build morale, and bring personnel together to share and standardize best practices.
“The 515th AMOG/JASDF bilateral rodeo strengthens our partnership with our host nation, enhancing interoperability and airlift operations skills. This collaboration ensures our combined air mobility forces remain ever ready to respond anytime, anywhere” said TSgt Juan Vasquez-Hernandez, 730 AMS freight handling specialist.
The spirited competition was significant to both U.S. and Japan service members as the Rodeo pushed the teams to their limits, strengthening aerial port technical skills, physical endurance, and bonds between participants. The Port Dawg Rodeo closed out with an awards ceremony to recognize winning teams and highlight star performers.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2025 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 494607 |
| Location: | YOKOTA AIR BASE, JP |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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