421st 'Scorpions' honor fallen Airmen with 9/11 march

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zachary Wilson
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --   - Ten members of the 421st Combat Training Squadron rucked over 35 miles on Sept. 9 in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces 9/11 Ruck March to Remember to honor the memories of Air Force Security Forces Airmen who gave their lives in the ten years of conflict since the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The 421st CTS group marched the first four miles of the 35 mile trek as a group and then broke up into relay groups of two or three until the final mile where the entire contingent finished together, according to Tech. Sgt. Anthony Richards, an instructor with the 421st as well as a an Air Force Security Forces member. Each member did 13 miles.

The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center "Eagles" joined up with other Air Force units across the country to log over 2,100 miles of marching. More than 300 active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from 23 units took turns marching from the Security Forces Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, on July 12 to New York, handing off a guidon at each leg to honor the security forces members and Americans who died on 9/11 and in the ensuing wars.

"Making the decision to be part of this event was kind of a no-brainer," Richards said. "Being in pain for a handful of miles comes nowhere close to the pain that's inflicted when an Airman dies. The least I can do to remember a fallen cop is to get a few blisters on my feet."

Master Sgt. Colby Bowers, a flight superintendant within the 421st as well as an independent duty medical technician by trade, the opportunity to get involved in the event was personal. He served as one of the event points-of-contact for the squadron.

"I spent six years in a specialized cop unit as their medic and I came to have
some really good friends that are cops," Bowers said. "I also know three Security Forces members that have died in combat, so this ruck march was an excellent way for me to pay tribute to them."

As a flight superintendant in a squadron that features a high number of security forces, Bowers feels his frequent associations and close working relationships with that group over the years has led to a growing appreciation for the sacrifices made by the SFS community.

"The Security Forces community in my opinion is one that is underappreciated by most of the Air Force," he said. "These folks defend our bases here and abroad no matter the environmental, political or budgetary conditions given to them.

Completing an event this large in scope highlights the sacrifices made by the SF community that others may not realize."


Tech. Sgt . William Lonergan, also a 421st CTS instructor, is not a Security Forces Airman by trade but was compelled to participate because of his connections to 9/11 as well as the close tie members of the 421st CTS share regardless of Air Force Specialty Code.

"I'm from New York City, so this was a personal thing for me," he said. Lonergan also noted that opportunity to honor fallen Airmen in a way that is more unique than a routine memorial or formation stood out for him. "This ruck march was a personal sacrifice paid out physically. You dedicated your time that was a lot more than putting a few bucks in a jar or putting a magnet on your car."

All three of the NCOs quoted in this story reflected on the impact 9/11 had on them 10 years ago while performing the march. Lonergan was deployed to Southwest Asia on that day while Bowers was on a temporary duty assignment in San Antonio, Texas, before deploying 12 days later to support the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. Richards was in high school on his way to a class.

"9/11 made me join the Air Force and I haven't regretted that decision once since I enlisted," Richards said.

Other members of the 421st CTS that participated in the march were: Master Sgt. Jesse Pate and technical sergeants Shane Spice, Jeffery Knight, Luke Plemons, Raymar Webb, Sean Scavetta and Matthew Butler.

(Some information included here was taken from an article by Staff Sgt. Chris Powell, Defense Media Activity, "Security Forces Airmen complete 9/11 ruck march" that appeared on www.af.mil Sept. 13.)