Air Commandos from Hurlburt Field, Fla., wave to passing cars during the last leg of a 450-mile march in honor of five fallen Air Commandos, Tampa, Fla., Feb. 8, 2013. Four teams from the 319th Special Operations Squadron, the 34th SOS, the 18th Flight Test Squadron, and the 25th Intelligence Squadron completed the march in six days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David Tracy/Released)
Tech. Sgt. Scott Cantwell, 25th Intelligence Squadron Air Commando, wears the name of a fallen friend and fellow Air Commando, who was killed in action in 2009, during a 450-mile march, Tampa, Fla., Feb. 8, 2013. The U.S. Special Operations Command Memorial at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was the end destination of the march in honoring five fallen Air Commandos who were killed in 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David Tracy)
A Patriot Guard Rider hands a rose to an Airman along Bayshore Blvd., in Tampa Fla., on Feb. 8, 2013. Sixteen Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla. completed a 450-mile march in honor of five fallen Air Commandos. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David Tracy)
Sixteen Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla., kneel for a moment of silence upon completion of a 450-mile march at MacDill Air Force Base Fla., Feb. 8, 2013. The march honored five Air Commandos who were killed in 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adam Grant/Released)
Master Sgt. John Hickman, 18th Flight Test Squadron first sergeant, scans the names of fallen heroes on the U.S. Special Operations Command memorial wall at MacDill Air Force Base Fla., Feb. 8, 2013. Hickman’s journey began on the Emerald Gulf Coast, where he and fifteen other members of the Air Commandos began their 450-mile march which ended at MacDill AFB, to honor five Air Commandos who were killed in 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adam Grant)
Maj. Mitchell Sherman, 1st Special Operations Wing Air Commando, mourns the loss of fallen heroes at the U.S. Special Operations Command memorial wall at MacDill Air Force Base Fla., Feb. 8, 2013. Sherman and fifteen other members of the Air Commandos took part in a 450-mile fallen hero rememberance ruck-march that began on the Emerald Gulf Coast and ended at MacDill AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro)
by Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
2/11/2013 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Sixteen Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla., took part in a 450-mile, six day ruck-march, in honor of five fallen Air Commandos.
Of the sixteen, were four teams which included members from the 319th Special Operations Squadron, the 34th SOS, the 18th Flight Test Squadron and the 25th Intelligence Squadron.
The Commandos' six-day journey began on the Emerald Gulf Coast and concluded at MacDill Air Force Base's U.S. Special Operations Command fallen hero memorial, where stories were told, tears were shed and fallen comrades were remembered.
As the Commandos neared MacDill, a motorcade of Patriot Guard Riders and more than 60 community members lined up to pay respect and thank the group for their sacrifices.
The march was a special event, "very moving, very emotional," commented ruck marcher Master Sgt. John Hickman, 18th FTS first sergeant. "It's not about us [the Air Commando marchers]; it's about those that made the ultimate sacrifice."
Upon their arrival at the memorial, the commandos were greeted by Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Trask, U.S. Special Operations Command director of force structure, requirements, resources and strategic assessments, who remarked on their noble efforts and selfless actions.
After comments were made, the Air Commandos gathered together, walked over to the wall of fallen heroes, knelt down, placed a rose and spoke to their fallen brothers and sisters.
Amongst the Commandos paying tribute was Hickman, who slowly walked the memorial's semicircle.
"I've seen seven names so far that I've known," he commented, showing the grim reality of combat and how much the march really meant.
This year's march was in memory of the five Air Force Commandos who died last year --Lt. Col. John D. Loftis, 866th Air Expeditionary Squadron; Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 319th SOS; Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 34th SOS; 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 34th SOS; and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 25th IS.
As the Commandos paid tribute at the memorial's wall of heroes, onlookers silently held each other, drawn in by the emotional event.
The Hulbert Field remembrance marchers left behind a unique ambiance, one that exemplified the Special Operation memorial creed:
To honor the selfless service and sacrifice of the men and women of the U.S. Special Operations Command and its assigned forces; to honor, promote, and preserve our nation's illustrious special operations heritage by recognizing the achievements, service, and sacrifice of the individuals, units, and other special operations organizations that contributed to our legacy; and to recognize patriotic citizens who form our auxiliary.
Comments
2/11/2013 7:12:41 PM ET Beautiful pictures beautiful article. My prayers go out to those that serve and those that have fallen.
