Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael C. Granato participated in the Air Mobility Rodeo 2009 at McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Wash., with members of the 62nd Airlift Wing team.  The home team, members of the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, won numerous "Best-of-the-Best" awards, which included Best C-17 Post Flight, Best C-17 Aircrew and Team, Best C-17 Low-level Airdrop Crew, Best Airdrop Team, Best Joint Inspection, Best Aerial Port Challenge Course, and Best Air Mobility Wing.  The event, sponsored by the Air Mobility Command, is the Mobility Air Forces' readiness competition which focuses on improving the command's core abilities.
    The competition tests the flight and ground skills of aircrews as well as the related skills of special tactics, security forces, aerial port operations, aeromedical evacuations, and maintenance team members, and provides joint and combined training for all participants.  Collectively, the ultimate goal of the competition is to develop and improve techniques and procedures that enhance air mobility operations, while strengthening the mutual goals and bonds developed among competing teams.  Airmen and international partners share the best tactics and techniques to improve cooperation during the continued support of the global war against terrorist acts.
    Granato is a C-17 aircraft communication navigation specialist with six years of military service.
    He is the son of Donna M. Anna and Stanley P. Anna, both of Poland, N.Y.
    His wife, Courtney, is the daughter of Richard T. Woolverton and Marilyn M. Woolverton, both of Summerville, S.C.
    The sergeant is a 2002 graduate of Poland High School.