728th AMS hosts remembrance run

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rebeccah Woodrow
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

"Every American depends on our roads, rails, airports, and waterways. But a highly functioning infrastructure network is especially critical to our men and women in uniform, who rely on it to facilitate the flow of the equipment and supplies they need to stay safe and protect America,” said President Donald Trump in the 2018 Presidential Proclamation for National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week. 

In honor of National Transportation Week May 12-16, and National Defense Transportation Day May 16, the 728th Air Mobility Squadron hosted a 5K run on May 19 honoring fallen transportation personnel.

The run started at Arkadas Park and ended at the 728th AMS passenger terminal. Members of multiple units, including 728th AMS and the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron, were in attendance for the run and the ending ceremony.

Over the past year, Staff Sgt. Daniel Albert, Senior Airman Billie Dutton, Airman 1st Class Caleb Bailey, Airman 1st Class Patricia Roy, and Airman 1st Class Montiel Alleyne, serving in various locations as members of the transportation community or “port dawgs,” passed away.

“These are the 5 we are remembering on this year's run,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Lander, 728th AMS air terminal operations center senior controller. “We are going to have someone call out their names at the beginning and then five runners are going to carry a tie down device that we use on an aircraft, and at the end of the run, hang the device on a forklift. This way, it is like they are running with us.

The commander of the 728th AMS, Lt. Col. Joseph Monaco, expressed to all in attendance the reason behind this Air Force-wide event.

“We’re prepared to give our lives in times of peace and war so we’re here today to remember the [air transportation specialists] that have fallen.”