ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Since 1999, leaders from the 97th Air Mobility Wing have saddled up alongside local ranchers for the annual Cattle Drive, continuing a tradition that honors the legacy of The Great Western Trail. During the late 19th century, more than six million cattle and one million horses traveled the historic trail.
The event has become a one-of-a-kind tradition, making Altus the only Air Force installation to host an annual cattle drive alongside their community. Beyond celebrating the region's ranching heritage, the event highlights the enduring partnership between the base and the surrounding southwest Oklahoma community.
This year's Cattle Drive featured 18 longhorn cattle and several dozen horses, with commanders from across the 97th Air Mobility Wing riding alongside local cowboys and rodeo queens as they guided the herd through the installation. The event brought together Airmen, families and community members to celebrate a tradition that has connected the base with its neighbors for nearly three decades.
“The cattle drive represents the relationship that has grown between Altus Air Force Base and the surrounding community over generations,” said Col. Richard Kind, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander. “It gives our Airmen an opportunity to be part of the history and culture of southwest Oklahoma while reminding us that Team Altus extends well beyond the gates of this installation. We’re proud to carry this legacy forward alongside a community that has supported our Airmen and our mission for decades.”
This year's event also served as a tribute to Gary "Bull" Watkins, a friend of Altus and local rancher who provided the horses for the annual cattle drive for 27 consecutive years. Watkins passed away March 26, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of service and generosity that helped define the event for Airmen.
For more than two decades, Bull and his family worked behind the scenes to ensure the cattle drive remained an authentic celebration of western heritage.
"From our very first time when Bull and his son, Jay, rode with General McNabb, till the day Brenna Marshall helped Bull on his horse for his last ride, we learned to honor and cherish our connection with the military," said Jude Watkins, Bull's wife. "It is so endearing the way Altus Air Force Base loved and embraced Bull. He loved the military cattle drive and never stopped wanting to make it a grand time for everyone."
As the herd made its way through the installation, the event once again brought together the base and community with a shared appreciation for tradition, service and western heritage.