Memorial run honors fallen

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Feet pound as a runner heads around the bend on a 200-meter rubber track. Sweat begins to bead on the runner's forehead as he is about to finish his second lap. He sees his running mate ahead waiting for the baton to be passed to him. When they are close to each other they both start running and the baton is handed off. The second runner takes off and enters a sprint to run his two laps as his teammate slows down and begins to rest.

This isn't your traditional track-and-field competition. In fact, this event is raising money for fallen tactical air control party members' families.

"This [run] is in support of the TACP association," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ty Bridge, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron commander. "We are doing a worldwide 24-hour run in support of the families of those members that have fallen in combat."

A TACP is normally made up of a joint terminal attack controller and a radio operator, maintainer, and driver and can also consist of an air liaison officer. They deploy with the Army and Marines to provide support by calling in targets for firepower in the form of artillery or an airstrike that can turn the tide of a battle.

Needless to say, the job can be dangerous and sadly members have fallen, leaving family members behind.

"We are raising money for the families of the Airmen that have been a part of the Tactical Air Control Party in combat and our most recent member that has fallen, [Air Force] Maj. David Grey," Bridge said. "His wife, Heather, and his kids really appreciated the outpouring of support all across the world, for not only them, but all of the other families that we have taken care of. The TACP are known for taking care of their own."

Each person ran a quarter mile and then sat out to wait for their turn to run another quarter mile, starting at 3 p.m. on March 28, until 3 a.m. on JBER, and starting at 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fort Wainwright. In total, the 3rd ASOS, from JBER and Fort Wainwright, ran a combined total of 216 miles in 24 hours.

For some, this run is not their first time.

"This is my second time running the memorial run, but the first time here in Alaska," said Air Force Master Sgt. Bobby Pena, 3rd ASOS Operations Flight noncommissioned officer.
TACP personnel were not the only ones to come out and run for this cause.

"We also have support personnel here that handle our equipment and vehicle maintenance guys that are out here running with us," said Senior Airman Joshua Boley, 3rd ASOS TACP ROMAD. "They know the cause we are out here for, and we all feel it."
Pride could be felt as the runners cheered on the baton carrier as he passed the group on his turn of the run.

"I am very proud of each and every person who's here and the people that are going to continue to come out through the night to show support for our guys that gave themselves out there in the battle field," Pena said.

When it comes to honoring the fallen, many have their different ways and reason to do so.

"I decided to participate in this run to show my support for the families of our guys who have laid down their lives out there on the battlefield," Pena said. "It's not only an honor but a privilege to do that."

"This is something I wanted to do... I really believe in this cause, and how much I think those that have fallen need to be recognized," Boley said.

The participants of the 12-hour memorial run had a goal of running more than 100 miles before the time came to a stop. At that time, TACP members at Fort Wainwright would start their run from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Boley said the event was more than just a run to honor the fallen and their families, it served to honor a heritage.

"Know who your fallen are," Boley said. "Know what they did for you and know what they went down for. They gave the ultimate sacrifice and we're here to defend that sacrifice they gave up."

"Without the heritage around your career field, there would be no stories to tell," Boley added. "It is such a big inspiration to live up to what they lived up to, to be where they were."

The standards of a TACP are high, as they are in the thick of things with whomever they are deployed with - ready to make that call to change the course of battle. This run honors those that have fallen and have lived those high standards.

"Living up to their standards is what I strive for," Boley said.