An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
HomeMultimediaNewsArticle Display






Travis Airmen enter BBQ Challenge

  • Published
  • By Master Sergeant Sherry Garza
  • USAF Band of the Golden West
ROHNERT PARK, Cal. --  Staff Sergeant Brandon May led "Flyin' High," a three-member team, in the Wine Country Big BBQ competition in Rohnert Park, California, July 12.

May grew up cooking with his family who considered it the best way to spend time together. Nowadays, he frequently grills for friends at home, and he has catered several events for his 70-member unit, The USAF Band of the Golden West, based at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

"Where there is a grill, there are always laughs and good times," says May. "I have tailored my barbecue off influences from my dad and lately, local friends and west coast flare."

In April, May submitted an essay on his barbecue philosophy to the Air Force Personnel Center's inaugural Air Force High Flyin' BBQ Challenge. According to Scott Black, AFPC Special Projects Officer, the program utilizes a growing interest in competitive BBQ to boost morale and foster community involvement.

The competition was open to all active duty Airmen and sister service members at Air Force-led Joint bases, and the six semi-finalists were entered in locally sanctioned barbeque contests, such as the one in Rohnert Park.

Master Sergeant Preston Keating and civilian Brian Murrin joined May on team "Flyin' High," whose mascot is a pig with wings. They helped prepare the 100 pounds of pork, ribs, lamb, chicken, brisket and velvet steak. In addition to presenting the items to a panel of trained judges, the team prepared and served 500 two-ounce samples to the approximately 1300 people who attended the Wine Country Big BBQ event.

Keating, who has been grilling for twenty years, said that prepping the meat and babysitting the smoker was hard work, but a lot of fun.

"Brandon did a great job leading his team. It was very satisfying to serve [his] food and get rave reviews," Keating said. "I was the food runner and the drop off station was a five minute walk from our site. I made the trip six times so I got my PT in for the day."

Team "Flyin' High" competed against 43 other pit masters, some of whom had entered over twenty competitions in 2014.

"The wine country competition was a good foot in the door," said May. "I was satisfied with the results; we received 30th place out of 44. For our first one, that is pretty darn good."

AFPC will choose three finalists once all six semi-finalists have received local competition scores. In September, the top three will demonstrate their skills at the Air Force barbecue finals during the San Antonio Stock and Rodeo Show's Fall Fest.

As musicians in the USAF Band of the Golden West, May and Keating regularly interact with the general public and demonstrate the excellence of the Air Force and Air Mobility Command. Grilling up delicious barbecue is just another way they enjoy connecting with the local community.

More information about the Air Force High Flyin' BBQ Challenge is available at: http://www.myairforcelife.com/bbq