DVIDS – News – Multi-Capable Airman Rodeo Ends in Yokota

The U.S. Air Force and the Japan Air Defense Force participated in a bilateral, two-day Multi-Capable Airman Rodeo event at Yokota Air Base and Tama Hills, Japan, June 27-28.

The MCA Rodeo is the first of its kind to premiere in Yokota, born out of an initiative by the Secretary of the Air Force. It allows Air Force personnel to adapt and learn skills outside of their normal daily duties. According to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the concept is essential because it focuses on maximizing available manpower when additional resources are difficult to obtain. Additionally, it ensures that mission objectives can still be achieved even when manpower is lost or critically low.

“The purpose of the rodeo is to generate interest in the program and promote the mindset of a Multi-Capable Airman,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Lewis, 374th Airlift Wing defense paralegal. “It’s also an opportunity to connect with our host nation partners and strengthen those relationships.”

Competitors were grouped into teams of five and competed against each other in a competition to win first place in the rodeo. The winners were judged based on how they applied and used their new skills.

On the first day, the teams’ skills in land navigation, radio etiquette, tactical combat casualty care, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense, and pallet building and cargo movement were trained and assessed.

The second day began at the Tama Hills Recreation Area, where all five teams were dropped off at a location where they had to use their new skills to navigate checkpoints and adapt to an ever-changing environment.

“We strive to actively engage our host nation as much as possible in events like this so that we build those relationships and a mutual understanding of how each other operates,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Hershberger, 374th Operations Support Squadron noncommissioned officer responsible for survival, evasion, resistance and escape.

The MCA Rodeo event marked a significant milestone in the U.S.-JASDF partnership as both forces worked together to demonstrate their capabilities and adapt to a range of challenging scenarios. Through training events like this, Yokota continues to strengthen partnerships and mission readiness capabilities while reinforcing valuable skills among personnel in both the U.S. Air Force and JASDF forces.