Behind the Chute

Airman 1st Class Mario Soriano, 90th Security Group tactical response force, shows retired Marine Col. John Bates a 240 Bravo machine gun used by the TRF as Staff Sgt. Adrian Norwood looks on. Bates, a three-time Purple Heart recipient, visited with the TRF Airmen Wednesday, July 25, 2012, as part of the American300 Behind the Chutes tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

Behind the Chute

Capt. Joseph Zito, 319th Missile Squadron, shows retired Marine Col. John Bates, three-time Purple Heart recipient, the workings of the console of a launch control center during a tour of the missile procedures trainer on F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Thursday, July 26, 2012. Bates visited the F.E. Warren Airmen, as part of the American300 Behind the Chutes tour. Capt. Derrick Besse, 320th Missile Squadron, looks over Bates' shoulder. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

Professional cowboys go 'behind the chute' at Warren

Published Aug. 1, 2012
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. -- F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. -- Look around Cheyenne during the last couple weeks of July each year and the city appears transformed, with bull riding and bronc-busting cowboys working the rodeo circuit.

There was a special twist during the 116th annual Cheyenne Frontier Days as four cowboys from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association joined guests such as three-time Purple Heart recipient, Marine Col. John Bates, from American 300 Warrior Tours.

"We wanted to put our Justin Boots where our mouths are, not just talk about supporting troops but go out and really show them how much we appreciate them," said Tilden Hooper, PRCA bareback rider.

Bareback riders, Kaycee Feild, Jesse Davis and Joe Gunderson joined Hooper and echoed his sentiment.

"Everyone knows we travel with Kaycee Feild, who has put his boots in Middle East combat zones over the past three memorial days," said Hooper. "It was our turn to join him."

The visit, coined "Behind the Chute" was a part of American300's "Never Quit" tour series, which has provided Air Force Global Strike Airmen the opportunity to connect with veterans and athletes who've endured hardship and overcome challenges.

Retired Marine Col. John Bates' career included tours of duty in Vietnam and Iraq. Bates now donates his time a volunteer professional skydiver, representing the Marines Wounded Warrior Regiment at everything from rodeos to NASCAR events.

Bates, the cowboys and American300 "Never Quit" series founder Robi Powers enjoyed visiting a Missile Alert Facility here July 26.

Field said he had been looking forward to meeting the Airmen.

"It felt like the night before the first performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo," said Fields.

After the tour, the cowboys headed back to the rodeo grounds at Frontier Park with a new appreciation for the Airmen.

"These Airmen are the true champions," said Davis. "They deserve champions' belt buckles."

American300 is an all volunteer nonprofit organization with a mission of increasing strength and resiliency of military members and their families at home and at work. No federal endorsement of sponsors or nonprofit organizations is intended.