MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 715th Air Mobility Operations Group team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, finished first in the Rodeo Fit to Fight competition Sunday with a score of 297 points.
The 100th Air Refueling Wing team from RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, placed second with a score of 284.75. The 47th Royal Air Force team, from the United Kingdom, placed a close third with a score of 284.45.
The Fit to Fight competition, worth a possible 300 points, was the first in Rodeo history, stemming from the desire of Gen. John Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, to include a competition focusing on fitness.
Before arriving at Rodeo 2005, all teams were required to submit a roster from which two individuals were randomly chosen to participate, in addition to each team captain.
“[Air Mobility Command] wanted to do it that way to make it as fair as possible,” said Mr. Patrick Conway, McChord Air Force Base Fitness Program Manager. Teams were informed which of their members would be required to participate in Fit to Fight when they arrived Saturday.
The event, which consisted of push-ups, sit-ups and a one-and-a-half mile run, was scored on a similar standard as the official Air Force fitness test. The difference was rather than varying points for different age groups, there was one Rodeo standard to which all were held.
Team members who did not participate in the competition were present to motivate and offer support to their teammates during the push-up and sit-up portion, as well as at the run’s finish line at Rainier Ranch.
“Everyone’s very enthusiastic,” said Capt. Deborah Jones, Rodeo Fit to Fight umpire. “The enthusiasm sets the pace for the entire week.”
Enthusiasm continued Sunday evening when Brig. Gen. Scott Gray, Rodeo commander, announced the winners of the competition and handed out the first trophy of the week.
“It’s a privilege to pass out the first Rodeo trophy to you folks,” General Gray said to members of the 715th AMOG team. “We’re proud of you; now let’s go win some more trophies!”