Photo By Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker | U.S. Airmen participate in the Third Annual Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Paul...... read more read more
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Airey served as a B-24 Liberator aerial gunner during World War II and crashed onto enemy territory in 1944, where he became a prisoner of war. During one of the coldest winters in history, Airey and other POWs were forced to march approximately 400 miles across Germany. By the time the British rescued Airey, he, like many of the others, was stricken with dysentery and weighed a mere 100 pounds. Airey later became CMSAF, where he served as adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John P. McConnell on matters concerning welfare, effective utilization and progress of the enlisted members of the Air Force. Airey passed away in 2009.
“We thought it was fitting to honor Airey’s legacy and resilience, and what he and his team endured as POWs,” said Robert Lovett, 603rd Air Operations Center facility manager. “We want to let our servicemen know their history and the heritage of the Air Force.”
Lovett has met Airey on several occasions, and said Airey has a love for Airmen, team building, and for pushing Airmen to be the best they can be.
“I think if he could be here he would see the teamwork and the resiliency that the ruck marchers show,” Lovett said. “He’d be proud that someone is remembering Air Force history. The point is honoring, respecting and remembering, because once you know your history, it can propel you in a better direction.”
Lovett also stressed the importance of team-building, which many of the service members displayed as they pulled together and pushed for the finish line.
SrA Jason Brennon, 86th Security Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven, and his team took first place in the ruck.
“I couldn’t have done it without any of these guys,” Brennon said, motioning to his teammates. “When I was going down, starting to cramp, they started pushing me and motivating me.”
Brennon recounted that when his team found a fellow Raven behind them, they teamed up and pulled through together.
“This is what the ruck is all about: leadership, pushing through, and being a team player,” Brennon said.
Chief Master Sgt. Heath Tempel, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, spoke of Airey’s experiences. According to Tempel, Airey and his men also relied on teamwork to survive.
“Keep faith with your teammates,” Tempel said.
Tempel described the testimony an individual gave during the War Crimes Commission.
“Chief Airey’s group of POWs was described as a domain of heroes,” Tempel said. “The stronger helped the weaker. Those fortunate enough to have a coat shared it with others. Sometimes the Germans provided farm wagons for those unable to walk, but with few horses available, the POWs themselves shouldered the burden, pulling the wagons through the snow.”
Ramstein continues to honor the past and shape the future through the men and women who give their time and energy to memorial events such as the CMSAF Paul Airey Memorial Ruck/March/Run and many others.
Proceeds from the ruck went to the Air Force Enlisted Village, whose core mission is to provide a safe, secure home for surviving spouses of retired enlisted U.S. Airmen.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2018 03:13 |
| Story ID: | 279915 |
| Location: | RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RP, DE |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, KMC service members shoulder rucksacks in remembrance, by SrA Elizabeth Baker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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