Coast Guard holds boat crew rodeo at Bolling AFB

There was a ''rodeo'' today -- at Bolling Air Force Base.

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But it's not what you're thinking.

Coast Guard units from the Washington region competed in what's called a "boat crew rodeo."

This rodeo gives teams hands-on training with boat handling and medical drills.

Organizers of the boat crew rodeo say it's all about two skills -- teamwork and communication -- skills that are vital to being a member of the Coast Guard.

"It's all about boat crew professionalism," said Mike DaPonte of the Coast Guard. "There's some knowledge-based practical exercises we're doing and some hands on exercises we're doing."

The units are from Washington, Annapolis, Baltimore, and other nearby Coast Guard stations.

Each unit is made up of both rookies and veterans.

While the rodeo helps build camaraderie, the guardsmen know it's about competition -- and only one unit comes in first.

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