Retired Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan T. Harris
Life member, retired Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan T. Harris, of the Armed Forces E9 Association (AFE9A) and The Retired Sergeant Major and Chiefs Association Washington State Chapter #1 just completed a two year long project. He served as the Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) 2007 Rodeo Program Manager for the largest airlift competition in Air Force history. The Rodeo experience provides valuable joint service and combined training for participants including international mobility professionals who compete or send crews to observe events. Each Rodeo contestant benefits with exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures among their international partners. Rodeo 2007 is AMC’s premier 60th United States Air Force anniversary event and was held 22-28 July at McChord Air Force Base, Washington.
The competition’s roots reach back 51 years to 1956, when 13 troop carrier wings of the Continental Air Command, the Air Force Reserve Command’s predecessor, sent crews to participate in a “Reserve Troop Carrier Rodeo” at Bakalar Air Force Base, Indiana. In April 1962, the first airdrop competition for units of the active-duty force occurred when the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) held a MATS-wide Rodeo at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Only seven aircraft and 14 aircrews participated. In 1979, the Rodeo scope and breadth was expanded to include international mobility teams.
Retired Chief Harris mentored Contracting, Finance, Maintenance, Aeromedical, Security, and Administration staff in proper Rodeo procedures for In-Progress Reviews and acquiring, setup, and teardown of facilities. His meticulous planning and superior leadership skills directed Finance and Contracting Officers in key Rodeo staff positions that met all planning, purchasing, and execution deadlines. He provided first-rate assistance and brilliant advice to commanders, leaders, and international officials regarding manpower, financial management, budget, real estate, and computer support to effectively meet current and long-range program goals and objectives.
The Chief also participated in community activities, conducted and attended briefings, meetings, and conferences with local organizations and coordinated the Rodeo Icebreaker at the LeMay Museum Tour, attended by 95% of the Rodeo competitors and staff. His synchronization of the augmentation of the 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office personnel and the 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office personnel in promotion and publicity efforts for Rodeo and other assigned special events was exceptional. He worked with the local recreation community and linked organizations regarding off-base support and activities.
2007 Rodeo joined the United States Active-duty, Reserve, and Guard units to demonstrate capabilities, improve procedures, compare notes, and enhance standardization for worldwide operations. Some of the aircraft included the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Hercules, KC-10 Extender, and the KC-135 Strato Tanker with up to 2,500 participants and 80 aircraft. Furthermore, retired Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan T. Harris directly contributed to the safe execution of 27 Rodeo events by 1,200 competitors on 55 teams from 34 countries.
As General Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command’s commander, said “The largest and best Rodeo ever!” Enormous and truly note worthy piece of consultant work, Chief Harris. |
