The ones left behind
July 20th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Scott Fontaine
The Gaston Gazette of North Carolina has a touching story about the family of Capt. Mark McDowell, a pilot who was killed when his F-15E crashed in Afghanistan two years ago.
“Some days, I feel like he could walk right in the front door, and it wouldn’t surprise me, and other days and nights, I know he’s not,” Karen McDowell told the newspaper. “Of course there are certain things that trigger the grief, but my husband and I have learned to share our grief with one another. We have really grown closer during this time than we had ever been before.”
Monday was the second anniversary of McDowell’s death. Also killed in the crash was Capt. Thomas Gramith. The story about the grief of McDowell’s family is well worth a few minutes.
Just a couple thousand miles to go
July 13th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks
Security Forces airmen from bases across the country know they have many miles to go before they sleep.
That’s because they’re participating in this year’s “Ruck March to Remember” as part of a commemoration of the lost lives of security force members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 9/11, ten security forces Airmen have been killed and more than 100 have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan combat operations.
Marking 10 years since the terrorists attacks on U.S. soil, the march will culminate Sept. 11 at Ground Zero.
Members of the Joint Base San Antonio security forces community began the kickoff leg of a 2,181-mile ruck march here July 12, according to a press release from the base. About 20 security forces members from Joint Base San Antonio units originally agreed to participate in the march, but more airmen have signed on to participate in the march.
Each team member has volunteered off-duty time to participate and any expenses have been paid for by the airmen, according to the press release. Team San Antonio airmen are expect to arrive in La Grange, Texas, which is about 148 miles from San Antonio, on July 16 . Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. will take up the journey from there.
Each airman will be carrying 50-lb. ruck sacks and marching in temperatures that are expected to be near 100 degrees with high humidity.
In addition to Joint Base San Antonio and Barksdale AFB, other participating bases in the 148-mile legs include Keesler AFB, Miss.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Moody AFB, Ga.; Robins AFB, Ga.; Pope AFB, N.C.; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Langley AFB, Va.; Andrews AFB, Md.; Dover AFB, Del.; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.; and the New York Air National Guard.
Tags: 9/11, Andrews Air Force Base, Barksdale Air Force Base, Columbus Air Force Base, Dover Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base, Ground Zero, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Joint Base San Antonio, Keesler Air Force Base, Langly Air Force Base, march, Moody Air Force Base, New York Air National Guard, Pope Air Force Base, Robins Air Force Base, Ruck to Remember, security forces, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base