Each year, the event brought thousands of visitors to Pope and the Fayetteville, N.C., community. Everything has been well done, and the base support, especially services and the McChord Rodeo staff, has been excellent. The 2000 team members have observed several things this week that will help them plan. Electrical power, communication equipment and computer systems top the list. They will need more than they originally thought, and setup should start at least two weeks prior to the Air Mobility Command staff arriving.
Competitors can expect more in the aeromedical evacuation arena, as well.
Pope sent a dedicated AE expert to observe and plan for Rodeo 2000 events. The 43rd AES is standing by to host AE professionals from around the world. Pope also has the 18th Airborne Corps from neighboring Fort Bragg heavily involved to help design Army and airborne support for the 2000 Rodeo. It hopes to use many of the Army's new outload enhancement facilities being built on Pope during the competition, as well as use more actual loads and more paratroopers in the airdrop events. For decades, Pope's flying wing consisted of C-130s under Military Airlift Command and Air Mobility Command.