515 AMOG Partners with Japan Air Self-Defense Force During Annua

Senior Airman Cajimat from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron poses for a photo during a group tug-of-war competition at the annual 515th Air Mobility Operations Group Port Dawg Rodeo at Yokota Air Base on March 7, 2024. One of the final events of the week is an organized strength competition between the joint teams, offering members the opportunity to showcase their strengths in communication and physical aptitude. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2d Lt Christopher Winters)

515 AMOG Partners with Japan Air Self-Defense Force During Annua

U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members pose for a group photo after the 10K forklift challenge during the annual Port Dawg Rodeo at Yokota Air Base, Japan on March 7, 2024. Maintaining camaraderie during challenges is essential for success, as integrated teams must navigate language barriers and perform under time pressure to achieve high scores. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2d Lt Christopher Winters)

515 AMOG Partners with Japan Air Self-Defense Force During Annua

Staff Sgt Atkins from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron briefs the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in an outdoor training area during the 515th Air Mobility Operations Group Port Dawg Rodeo at Yokota Air Base, Japan on March 6, 2024. Members were informed on the importance of barcoding and tracking each piece of itemized cargo that comes through the port, as Yokota Air Base has continued to remain one of Air Mobility Command's busiest ports in the enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2d Lt Christopher Winters)

515 AMOG Partners with Japan Air Self-Defense Force During Annual Port Dawg Rodeo

Published March 27, 2024
By 2d Lt Christopher Winters
515th Air Mobility Operations Wing

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

The 515th Air Mobility Operations Group co-hosted its second annual Port Dawg Rodeo with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force during the week of March 4, 2024. Fourteen aerial porters from across the Indo-Pacific region met with 14 JASDF members to participate in a goodwill exchange of operational techniques, facility tours, and friendly competitive events. Visiting JASDF members were all logisticians, aligning with the U.S. Air Force’s 2T2 port operations career field. They had the opportunity to share their skill sets throughout the week, providing unique insights to junior members new to the career field.

Throughout the week, the group attended a site visit to Iruma Air Base and later toured some of Yokota’s facilities that enhance Air Mobility Command’s mission. Teams were briefed on cargo processing for shipping, handling specialized cargo movements, and calculating the center of balance as a precursor to safe shipping techniques.

“Being able to come together and challenge each other through competition allows both forces to understand the importance of seamless integration and thus strengthening larger logistical support,” says TSgt. Anthony Como, lead organizer of this year’s event. “Creating logistics professionals who are adaptive is really paramount in today’s Air Force.”

Themes of cooperation, continuity, and adaptability recurred throughout the week-long event. Practicing these skills is what makes events like the Port Dawg Rodeo essential in creating a more well-rounded force.

When asked about the significance of the event, SrA Jestoni Cajimat said, “This event emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and unity. It helps us practice good relations between our allied nations. Sometimes, the JASDF members operate differently than how we do at Yokota, which is extremely beneficial in finding new perspective on solving a problem.”

The Port Dawg Rodeo closed with a family style American meal, allowing both members from the JASDF and USAF to network and bond before departing.