JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation will sponsor the 3^rd annual Operation Care Fair for the Soldiers, Airmen and Families of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community on Saturday, February 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the McChord Field Club.

This event offers Service members and Family members free, fun, and educational ways to develop and live a healthier, happier lifestyle by providing them with morale-boosting activities to help escape the ‘blahs' of the long winter season, and to aid families who are in the midst of a deployment.

The fair will offer a variety of services beginning at 10 a.m. in the McChord Field Club and includes chair massages, mini-makeovers, skin and hair care, tips on healthy cooking, talks from health care and fitness professionals, and other demonstrations.

Other events scheduled for the fair include live music, exhibits, door prizes and vendors in support of healthy living, mental wellness, and stress relief.

Washington, D.C.- The Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee visit Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Saturday.
The bipartisan Congressional Delegation, led by Committee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Adam Smith(D-Wash.), will meet with I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, 62nd Airlift Wing Commander Col. Kevin Kilb, and Soldiers and Airmen while on base.
The purpose of the visit is to better understand how the Soldiers and Airmen stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord support the war efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as counter current or future threats to America's national security. In addition to visiting Joint BaseLewis-McChord, the delegation intends to travel to the Bangor Naval Submarine Base before returning to Washington, D.C.

Prior to arriving in Washington, the delegation of six Armed Services Committee Members is scheduled to visit several military installations in Chairman McKeon's congressional district, including the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Air Force Plant 42 and the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.    

MICHAEL SWAN: THIS JUST IN >>>

McChord Air Force Bases' 62nd Airlift Wing, the active duty wing, took top honors today named the Best Airlift Team competing in Rodeo 2009. 

The Air Mobility Command Rodeo, which ran this week at McChord, brought more than 100 airlift teams from around the world to participate. 

Scheduled again at McChord in 2011, the bi-annual competition brings a sizeable economic impact to the area.

MICHAEL SWAN: TOTAL FORCE IMPACT EVIDENT AT RODEO 2009 >>>

Air Mobility Command Rodeo PAO posted this report on the National Guard Web site, concentrating on the Air National Guard side:

Read full story here.

Photo: A C-130 Hercules from the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard at St. Joseph taxis on the ramp at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., after completing a competition mission for Air Mobility RODEO 2009. More than 100 teams are participating in RODEO competition, including teams from seven foreign countries. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

MICHAEL SWAN: AIR MOBILITY COMMAND RODEO KICKS OFF >>>

Air Mobility Command is hosting the preeminent air mobility competition, Rodeo 2009 at McChord AFB through July 24. More than 100 teams and 2,500 people from the active duty, guard, reserves and allied air forces will compete in airdrop, air-land, air-to-air refueling, maintenance, aerial port, aero-medical evacuation, security forces operations, contingency operations and a flight attendant competition.

While not open to the public, you can follow along at the Air Mobility Command's Web site.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Military Affairs Committee held an AMC Rodeo International Icebreaker reception Friday.  Check out the Chamber's C-9 military/community blog for pictures and video.

Also, Carlene Joseph, vice-president of Business Development & Military Relations with Harborstone Credit Union snapped a few shots of pre-Rodeo happenings. Here are a couple for your viewing pleasure.

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