Army Team Takes First In FARP Rodeo

BY SGT. DANIEL SCHROEDER

25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) hosted a joint service forward arming and refueling point (FARP) rodeo recently at Wheeler Army Airfield.

Soldiers from CAB and Marines from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe participated in the three-day event.

“The competition is designed to increase the proficiency of our soldiers on the ways to set up a FARP,” said Staff Sgt. Maximo Nunez, noncommissioned officer in charge of the rodeo.

“By inviting the brigade and the Marines to the event, we can increase our proficiency between branches and throughout the division and become a better military force.”

For the first two days of the event, the Marines and soldiers were trained on the FARP systems.

“This was good hands-on training for my soldiers,” said Army Sgt. Shawnna Saulsberry.

“Not only did they get vital training on systems they have not used, they were able to work with other branches of the military.”

On the third day, as the sun started shining over the horizon, the rodeo kicked off with an Army Physical Fitness Test.

Following that, the teams rotated between four stations where they were given 30 minutes to set up and tear down each FARP.

“It was exciting and fun to compete against other branches,” said Marine Cpl. John Fazio. “Being able to do something different like this makes us more proficient and better rounded.”

The competition was close, as the time separating first place and fifth place was less than 10 seconds in each event.

The Army CAB team won with a time of 14 minutes 41 seconds.