Deployment prepares Citizen Airmen for stateside competition

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. J. Justin Pearce
  • 403d Wing Public Affairs
Where would a prison guard, a physical trainer and a welder come to compete?

Only the 22nd Air Force Aerial Port ROUNDUP at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., would challenge this team of Citizen Airmen.

During the weekend of March 13, a handful of reservists from the 32nd Aerial Port Squadron out of Pittsburgh saddled up to compete in the inaugural 22nd Air Force Aerial Port ROUNDUP, where reserve aerial port squadrons from around the nation competed in events tailored to their missions.

The three Citizen Airman and two other members from their unit swept the competition claiming reins of the top three out of 18 Aerial Port Squadrons competing.

The ROUNDUP tested their hands-on skills when it comes to speed and proficiency.

"We're giving our Aerial Porters a (yard) stick to train to by our standards," said Lt. Col. Stephen Motylinski, ROUNDUP director.

For teams who haven't worked together before, the event is like jumping in a fire. For Tech. Sgt. Jeff Godfrey, a prison guard at State Correctional Institute Greensburg; Senior Airman Mark Chambers, a welder at Boiler Makers Union power plant; and Senior Airman Thomas Moore, a physical trainer at a local gym in Pittsburgh, however, this kind of fire is familiar. The three Citizen Airmen have been deployed overseas together before to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

"We learned that when it's time to go, it's time to go," said Airman Moore, referring to what he learned from working for Sergeant Godfrey at Bagram Air Base. "Keeping a high pace continuous tempo is what it's all about ... that's what keeps you performing at your optimum."
The two Airmen attributed their high-paced mentality from lessons learned from working for Sergeant Godfrey during their deployment. Because of experience, the two Airmen said they felt at ease and prepared for the ROUNDUP.

Sergeant Godfrey said he felt good about how his Airmen would perform during the event.

"Both of these Airmen could be a team chief right now," he said. "They'll definitely find out today what they bring to the table."

The team members agreed they were most excited about performing the engine running on/offload exercise.

"That's what we're ready for," said Sergeant Godfrey. He and his troops said they had a great deal of experience in this particular exercise while deployed and were ready to show off their expertise.

The three agreed that although they're going for gold, the experience was all that really mattered.

"This kind of event is absolutely great for meeting squadrons and having some good spirited competition ... it really has a tendency to bring out the best of everyone," said Sergeant Godfrey.

Sergeant Godfrey said prior to the event they are utilizing this opportunity for training to prepare for another deployment that is soon coming.

"If we can work as a team together, refine the edges and take this back home then that will make us that more prepared for what's next," he said.

That teamwork proved valuable when the 32nd was named one of the top three overall winners.

"I was ecstatic to find that my team -- all E-4s and myself -- came through and won in the top three," Sergeant Godfrey said.