Cannon hosts 2015 EMT Rodeo

Medics from Langley Air Force Base, Va., pull a simulated patient to safety Sept. 17, 2015 at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs from 22 installations across the Air Force convened at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., for two days of innovative, high-octane competition Sept. 17-18. Throughout the rodeo, teams were required to execute lifesaving missions under the critical eye of expert evaluators, demonstrating accurate techniques and effective implementation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shelby Kay-Fantozzi)

EMT Rodeo spurs competition

A member of the 27th Special Operations Medical Group is administered simulated care as an animal attack victim during the EMT Rodeo Sept. 17, 2015 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs from 22 installations across the Air Force convened at Cannon for two days of innovative, high-octane competition Sept. 17-18. Throughout the rodeo teams were required to execute their lifesaving mission under the critical eye of expert evaluators, demonstrating accurate technique and effective implementation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexx Pons)

EMT Rodeo spurs competition

U.S. Air Force emergency medical technician personnel from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., simulate providing care for an animal attack victim during the EMT Rodeo Sept. 17, 2015 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs from 22 installations across the Air Force convened at Cannon for two days of innovative, high-octane competition Sept. 17-18. Throughout the rodeo teams were required to execute their lifesaving mission under the critical eye of expert evaluators, demonstrating accurate technique and effective implementation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexx Pons)

Cannon hosts 2015 EMT Rodeo

Emergency medical technicians from Joint Base San Antonio- Fort Sam Houston, Texas, assess and treat a patient during a scenario in the EMT Rodeo Sept. 18, 2015, at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M.. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs from 22 installations across the Air Force convened at Cannon for four days of innovative, high-octane competition Sept. 16-19. Throughout the rodeo teams were required to execute their lifesaving mission under the critical eye of expert evaluators, demonstrating accurate technique and effective implementation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

Cannon hosts 2015 EMT Rodeo

Published Sept. 23, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Twenty-one teams of elite emergency medical technicians from 22 installations across the Air Force convened Sept. 17-18 at Cannon Air Force Base for two days of high-octane competition during the 2015 Annual EMT Rodeo.

During this, the rodeo's eighth consecutive year, testers required all contenders to execute their lifesaving mission under greater pressure, stricter guidelines and more austere conditions than ever before. Featuring 19 categories of competition, each team demonstrated accurate techniques and effective implementation, all under the critical eye of expert evaluators.

One of the most unique of these competitions was the Commando Challenge; a vigorous, interactive, scenario-based obstacle course during which competitors had to put multiple skills to the test.

"The Commando Challenge was phenomenal," said Senior Airman Kayle Carr, 96th Medical Group, Eglin AFB, Fla. "Not only is it great for camaraderie, but it was an opportunity for us to increase our skills as well."

In order to accommodate more than double the amount of competitors this year, developers split the rodeo into two alternating days with simultaneously occurring events taking place at both Melrose Air Force Range and the Cannon clinic.

For past rodeos, each installation was required to provide funding in order to send their representative team to compete. However, this year offered a very special opportunity for bases previously unable to compete due to funding restrictions.

"This year marks the very first time since the creation of the rodeo that we received full funding from the Air Force Medical Operations Agency," said Staff Sgt. Michael Rohan, 27th Special Operations Medical Group independent duty medical technician.

After two intense days running through the scenarios, team Joint Base San Antonio- Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, captured first place. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, came in second, and third place honors went to Joint Base Andrews, Md. Team Nellis Air Force Base from Nevada won the Commando Challenge with a perfect score and blazing time of 8 minutes, 57 seconds.

"I have had a blast throughout this competition," said Staff Sgt. Brock Ashbaugh, 1st Special Operations Medical Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla. "This is the absolute best training that I have received since becoming a medic in the Air Force. I believe it was in great part [due] to Team Cannon for putting this together, and because of the unique range capabilities offered by Melrose, which made the training that much more realistic."