MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting crewmembers from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, competed against each other in a Crash Crew Rodeo at the Station air field Aug.17.
The rodeo was the second competition held between the two units and gave each side a chance to show their abilities and have a little fun in the process.
The two seven-man teams consisting of sergeants and below took to the field behind the Iwakuni ARFF Station shortly after 4 p.m. to start off the seven event competition.
"The rodeo consisted of events similar to what the Marines may actually have to do in a real situation," said Staff Sgt. Robert Rudolph, Iwakuni ARFF coach.
"There's a fireman's carry race, a hose drill, an event where they see who can cut a 55 gallon barrel in half the fastest and also other events that really test their skills," said Rudolph.
At the end of the intense competition and all seven events, the scores were tallied and Iwakuni was declared the winner in an upset. Last year Futenma swept Iwakuni, taking all seven events.
"It's just a little friendly competition between our units," said Rudolph. "It's our way of building on team spirit and it really boosts the morale of all these Marines."
Both teams came into the event with the intent of showing the other just who was the best, but more importantly, to have a good time, noted Rudolph.
"We've been looking forward to this since last year," said Rudolph. "These Marines share a special kind of camaraderie in their job field. Both these teams have trained for this in all their free time and they're ready to compete."
The event affords the units an opportunity to show off their capabilities without having to demonstrate the realistic danger which is involved in their particular military occupational specialty.
"Considering their MOS, these Marines really hope they never have to truly show how good they are at what they do," said Lt. Col. R. Scott LaShier, Headquarters and Headquarters commanding officer, MCAS Futenma. "Competitions like this allow them and everyone else to see how much their training has taught them."
"We practiced for this every chance we could get and it feels great to bring home the trophy," said Lance Cpl. Travis Gonzales, Iwakuni ARFF team member. "The whole experience of getting ready for and competing in this has really brought us together as a team even more than before."
Although the scores went in favor of Iwakuni, both units feel that they're taking a win away from the meeting.
"They won the trophy back from us, but we plan on coming back to get it next year," said Staff Sgt. Quincy Terry, Futenma ARFF coach. "All of these Marines train hard both on and off duty and it showed here, but the best reward about this is the camaraderie. We definitely hope to continue this tradition in the future."