4th SFS rucks to remember

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Security Forces Squadron is gearing up to host a 2,181-mile ruck march from the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio July 12 to ground zero in New York Sept. 11 in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"We're doing it to reflect on the changes 9/11 had on our career field and our lives," said Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Broughman, 4th SFS training NCOIC. "The time we've been away from our loved ones due to deployments, the effects those deployments have had on each person and ultimately to remember the defenders who lost their lives by enemy hands since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom."

U.S. Air Force security forces units from across the country will participate in the march, each covering approximately 140 miles. Participating units are: Lackland AFB, Texas, Randolph AFB, Texas, Barksdale AFB, La., Keesler AFB, Miss., Columbus AFB, Miss., Eglin AFB, Fla., Tyndal AFB, Fla., Moody AFB, Ga., Robins AFB, Ga., Pope AFB, N.C., Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., Langley AFB, Va., Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C., Dover AFB, Del., and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

The idea for the ruck march came from Maj. Jim Alves, 4th SFS commander, who read about combat controllers and pararescuemen marching to Hurlbert Field, Fla., for a cause.

"I thought if we applied the same concept on a march from San Antonio to ground zero, it would not only be possible, but it would be an outstanding way of remembering those who have given their lives on, and since, 9/11," Alves said.

Since 9/11, 10 defenders have paid the ultimate sacrifice and more than 100 have been wounded in combat.

"The defenders assigned to the 4th SFS (as well as throughout the Air Force) have been heavily tasked for deployments since the start of OEF," Broughman said. "The ultimate goal is to complete the march. There is a great deal of teamwork and coordination going on. I think it shows how versatile our career field is to be able to complete this march in addition to everything else we're doing."

An incident in May outside the wire at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, makes this march even more significant for the 4th SFS defenders: Staff Sgt. Ben Seekell and his military working dog Charlie were injured in a land mine explosion. Seekell is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., after losing half his left leg in the explosion, while Charlie is here undergoing treatment for hearing and a leg injury.

The public can also participate in the march by showing support for the defenders as they march by cheering them along the route or by visiting the Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages, Broughman said. The Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/pages/Security-Forces-911-Ruck-March-to-Remember/170407923010504 and the YouTube page is www.youtube.com/user/911RuckMarch. Follow the defenders on Twitter at @SFRUCKMARCH.

"Though the 4th Fighter Wing has been the lead on this initiative, this is not about any one unit," Alves said. "Just as the war on terror cannot be won by any one person, unit, one service or one country, the ruck march cannot be completed alone. It takes the collective efforts of all the units involved to make this successful."