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Twelve for twelve

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Joshua Strang
  • Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  On the twelfth day of the twelfth month, service members here took action to ensure twelve security forces Defenders were honored with a twelve kilometer ruck march.

The Fallen Defenders Ruck to Remember honors security forces Defenders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although the event remembers all of the Defenders killed in action, this year’s event is focusing specifically on two members.

“We are highlighting the sacrifices made by our latest Defenders that we have lost,” said Master Sgt. Austin Schneider, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron training superintendent. “Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain and Airman First Class Kcey E. Ruiz lost their lives on October 2nd this year at Jalalabad Airfield in Afghanistan.”

Sartain and Ruiz were killed when the C-130J Super Hercules they were flying on crashed during takeoff. Both Airmen were deployed from the 66th Security Force Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

The event generated $2,800 dollars and all proceeds will go to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors through the Combined Federal Campaign.

T.A.P.S. is a not-for-profit organization that offers compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces.

Although the event raised money, Chief Master Sgt. Tamala Hartz, Air Forces Central Command security forces manager, said the event was all about remembrance.

“Today’s event is really about remembering those Defenders who gave all in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Hartz. “Any time there is a loss in the defender family it is our responsibility to remember those who can’t go home.”