Dover Airmen march 47 miles for USO

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey
  • 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  At 12:40 p.m. today, three Dover Air Force Base Airmen finished a 19-hour and 40-minute trek from New Castle to Dover carrying ruck sacks weighing over 35 pounds.

The march began just after 5 p.m. Thursday under cloudy skies, moderate wind and temperatures of about 60 degrees inside the base entrance at the New Castle air base, headquarters of the Delaware Air National Guard.

The march route covered about 47 miles, and by automobile would take about 90 minutes.

The three Airmen are fuels specialists with the 436th and 512th Airlift Wing's Logistics Readiness Flights at Dover Air Force Base.

Tech. Sgt. David Jackson, 29, from the Air Force Reserve's 512th AW and Airman 1st Class Joseph Pelkey, 20, from the active duty unit, the 436th AW, marched the entire route while fellow 436th AW member Staff Sgt. William East, 28, joined them, after he got off work, about 10 miles south of New Castle on Route 13.

The effort is being undertaken to celebrate a college graduation and to support a good cause; to raise money and awareness for USO -- the United Service Organizations.

Sergeant Jackson said he decided to celebrate his May 14 graduation from Wilmington University by doing something with friends to support an organization that does so much for our troops.

"I wanted to recognize the USO and help raise awareness of their good work. They are everywhere helping the troops. They've just done a lot for us," said Sergeant Jackson. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in general studies from Wilmington University, taking most of his courses in the school's classrooms located on Dover AFB.

USO Delaware Volunteer Lisa Stagg, plus some friends, family members, and fellow wing members, met the tired and dedicated Airmen at the finish line, the base flag pole on Dover AFB.

To plan their route, the Airmen worked with their unit commander and also with the Delaware State Police. They left the New Castle air base, headed northeast on Commons Boulevard, turned southeast onto Basin Road, then headed south on State Route 13. They turned east on State Route 72, then south on State Route 9, crossing over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal at the Reedy Point Bridge in Delaware City. They got back on Route 13 and walked through Odessa, Smyrna and Cheswold on their way to Dover.

They wore safety reflective belts for the entire journey, and took care to carry warmer sets of clothing, which were needed. Sergeant Jackson said the hardest part of the march was in the 3 to 5 a.m. period, when it got a little colder.

Despite the challenges, he said all Airmen remained healthy.

"Airman Pelkey was having some blister issues," said Sergeant Jackson. He added that these had to be addressed along with way. 

Sergeant Jackson said 100 percent of the funds they raise will go to the USO. He said one man pulled his car off along the road south of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal after seeing them walking with their USO flag. Sergeant Jackson said the stranger asked what they were doing, and gave them a small contribution.

To prepare for the march, Sergeant Jackson said he did several ruck marches, one 14 miles long, plus some marches of seven miles, and even ran one of the seven mile marches. He added that working out three times a week in the Air Force fitness program was a big help.

Even with all the training, Sergeant Jackson said the long miles and hours took their toll.
"These puppies are on fire," said Sergeant Jackson, pointing to his feet, after completing the march. 

But it was all worth it, said Sergeant Jackson.

"It's so fulfilling to set a goal, put forth the effort and complete it," he said.

"The reception we received (at Dover AFB) was outstanding," said Sergeant East. "Especially on the back stretch when we turned the corner and we saw everyone here supporting us."

"We've had a lot of support from family, friends and co-workers," added Sergeant Jackson. "It has been a real team effort, lots of teamwork."

(Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo, 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story)