Jayhawk pilots take top T-1 in AMC Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  T-1 Jayhawk instructor pilots from Columbus Air Force Base were awarded with the title of "Best T-1 Team" during the Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 award ceremony on July 29.

The team consisted of Capt. Mike Kluse, 48th Flying Training Squadron and the team lead, Maj. Steve Cochran, 43rd Flying Training Squadron, Capt. Chad Foreman, 48th FTS, and Johnathan McCoy, Dyncorp Crew Chief. Maj. Bryan Adams, 48th FTS, assisted in officiating the T-1 events for the non-Columbus teams as an umpire.

The team competed in several events, including air drop sorties, simulating in-flight refueling and instrument approaches. Foreman said that both air drops were on target by the exact second they needed to be, and that the second drop was so close to the target that officials believe it landed exactly on target.

"We got out there and we did what we teach here at Columbus," he said.

Blending the active duty, reserve, and contractor components of the T-1 mission was business as usual for the team according to Kluse.

"It was easy," he said. "Pulling together the active duty and reserve? We do that every day," he said. "Military with contractors? That too."

Kluse continued saying that he considered McCoy a part of the team just as much as any member.

"Him taking care of the aircraft gave us extra time to do mission planning and other things that we wouldn't have been able to if we hadn't had his help."

The combined team returned to Columbus on Aug. 1 holding the trophy high as it recognized the best, ready to teach the best.