[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LITTLE ROCK 2011 RODEO TEAMS

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the 314th 
Airlift Wing Air Mobility RODEO 2011 members who were awarded for 
excellence in their field at the Air Mobility Command RODEO 2011 at 
McChord Air Field.
  In addition to winning the Moore Trophy for Best Air Mobility Wing, 
the team was recognized as the Best Airdrop Wing and maintainers and 
flyers also earned top honors for their maintenance skills, earning the 
Maintenance Skills Competition Award--C-130 maintenance and the 
Maintenance Skills Competition Award--overall winner. The C-130E team 
snagged the Best Overall Maintenance Team award, Best Team Overall--
Maintenance and Operations--Best Overall Aircrew Team.
  This outstanding crew, led by COL Mark Czelusta, excelled during the 
international air rodeo competition which draws the ``Best of the 
Best'' from air forces around the world. More than 40 teams and 2,500 
people from the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, 
and selected foreign countries participated in this competition.
  The group put in hours of hard work and deservedly earned these 
awards. In true Arkansas spirit of teamwork COL Czelusta acknowledges 
this couldnt have been done without the help of the 19th Airlift Wing 
and the community.
  The 19th Airlift Wing also took home accolades. Members of the team 
were recognized as the Best C-130 Airdrop Aircrew.
  What is even more amazing is that these crews accomplished this after 
having a major destruction to the Little Rock Air Force base in late 
April when a tornado damaged three C-130 planes and blew roofs off and 
damaged buildings in the base's flight line area.
  I am proud to represent the 314th Airlift Wing Air Mobility RODEO 
2011 team and the 19th Airlift Wing for all of their accomplishments. 
We are grateful for their service and thank them for their dedication 
to success and the sacrifice they make to protect our freedoms.

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