040618-N-5319A-001 Arabian Gulf (June 18, 2004) - The Spruance-class destroyer USS Cushing (DD 985) cruises the Arabian Gulf prior to conducting an underway replenishment. The Norfolk, Va. based destroyer is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho (RELEASED)
Soldiers transport supplies on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for the Army and Air Force Exchange Services "Rodeo." The exchange service conducts weekly rodeos for troops stationed at forward operating bases in Afghanistan. Courtesy photo
Soldiers Enjoy Exchange Service 'Rodeo' in Afghanistan
By U.S. Army Spc. Daniel P. Kelly / Combined Joint Task Force 76
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, Sept. 22, 2004 -— Soldiers in remote fire bases are grateful to receive the support from Army and Air Force Exchange Services employees through a program known as a “Rodeo.”
The exchange service conducts weekly “rodeos” to forward operating bases in Afghanistan, giving soldiers in remote locations an opportunity to use finance services, legal, chaplain, Reserve and National Guard affairs, retention, education and morale, welfare and recreation, and exchange service products said 1st Lieutenant Linda North, who heads the Morale, Welfare and Recreation for soldiers and Coalition Forces in Combined Joined Task Force 76 in Afghanistan.
Soldiers wait eagerly for the rodeo to arrive in Afghanistan.
“Rodeos are so mobile,” North said. “They move around, and show up from town to town. That’s what our rodeo does.”
North said although the rodeo in Afghanistan is carried out weekly, forward operating bases get visited, individually, about once a month.
North added that to many soldiers, the rodeo “coming to town” is the high point of their off time in Afghanistan.
“It’s a chance for soldiers to take care of financial issues, or any other issue that may need to be addressed,” North said.
North and a team of support elements load up palletized supplies for the rodeo on CH-47 Chinook helicopters and fly out to the forward operating bases. After landing at the bases, trucks take the supplies, rodeo soldiers and exchange service employees to the dining facility to set up their operation.