Exercising to honor, inspire

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Morgan
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  At the beginning of their deployment, a team of four Royal air force members from the No. 1 Air Control Center set out to exercise their way back to Lincoln, England, roughly 3,400 miles away, in honor of United Kingdom and U.S. service members who have been injured or killed in contingency operations overseas.

Each member traveled more than 12 miles a day, but not literally traveling across the world. Instead, they attended classes and worked out here running, cycling, rowing and swimming to inspire others to stay fit to fight.

"It kept us focused, gave us a routine, brought us together as a team and raised some money for a good cause," Burden said. "The program gave us more than one common goal. When we sat down and wanted to do this, we obviously wanted to help a U.K. charity, but it became quite obvious very quickly that we should also support a U.S. charity because of the partnership we have."

During the process, the RAF team, consisting of RAF Sgt. Scott Harrison, RAF Flight Sgt. Craig Burden, RAF Flight Lt. James Farrall and Squadron Leader Matthew Jack, raised more than $1,500 for the U.K. and U.S. charities. On Independence Day, the RAF members met their goal and inspired a new effort for a different cause.

Their partners, the members of the Mississippi Air National Guard's 255th Air Control Squadron, are assigned with them at the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here. Members of the 255th ACS began their own effort to exercise the 7,900 miles back home.

"It really comes down to support," said Master Sgt. Seaton Hixson, the 727th EACS first sergeant. "The RAF guys decided to support an American charity; they didn't have to do that. They inspired us when they chose to support those who are not with us. We want to do the same for Terrod."

Tech. Sgt. Terrod Jackson, a 255th Air Control Squadron cyber transport technician, collapsed while running in a charity race to raise money for the Boston Marathon bombing victims. Jackson went into cardiac arrest and suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Jackson, who was honoring those killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings through exercise, is now being honored by his deployed unit members in the same manner.

The 7,900 miles will be completed by more than 80 members assigned to the 727th EACS as a voluntary effort, Hixson said. Any exercise that covers distance will count, to include, but not limited to swimming, running, cycling and rowing.

To honor and help Jackson, the members plan to use the fitness program to raise money for him and his wife.

"He is part of the unit and we want to take care of his family as he has taken care of us," said Staff Sgt. Scott Polley, a 727th EACS air surveillance technician.

"This is one of the better ways of doing that; people back home will be able to see us reach out from across the world."

Jackson is currently in a long-term care facility, where he is showing signs of recovery by keeping his eyes open for extended periods of time and reacting to sounds. He probably doesn't know his friends are supporting him from almost 8,000 miles away.

"He is just a great person all together, he is a great NCO and a great guy, he has tremendous influence on all of us," Hixson said. "He most likely will not be able to serve the military any more, but that doesn't mean we cannot serve him."

Ever since Jackson collapsed, there has been an outpouring from the community of Hattiesburg, Miss., for him, Hixson said. The deployed members of the 255th ACS have already raised more than $1,000 for Jackson and his wife, Nikki, adding to the nearly $4500 raised by the unit as a whole both deployed and at home station in Gulfport.

"Terrod touches everyone that he comes into contact with in a positive way," Hixson said. "He was always smiling and there was a certain energy that comes whenever he's around. We hope to raise as much as we can to help even further."