By Mauricio Campino
Dover Air Force base – The 436th Security Forces Squadron hosted the 20th Annual Chosin Ruck March on March 16, 2019, at the Air Mobility Command Museum on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The march commemorates the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in 1950 during the Korean War, in which approximately 120,000 Chinese communist forces attacked approximately 20,000 allied forces, consisting of U.S. Marines, U.S. Army soldiers and United Nations forces. During the 19-day battle, brutal fighting and subzero temperatures claimed the lives of 15,000 allied troops and more than 40,000 Chinese troops.
For the last 20 years, members of the 436th SFS have organized and hosted an annual ruck march to commemorate the battle. During the opening ceremony, John “Mick” Schroeder, commander of the Korean War Veterans Association, spoke about service to others before self and the passing of the torch to a new generation of warfighters.
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A total of 37 Airmen participated in this year’s ruck march. Participants could register as individual runners or in teams of four. The course started and ended at the AMC Museum adjacent to Dover AFB. Each participant ran or walked the 6.7-mile course, carrying a rucksack weighing a minimum of 30 pounds.
Medals were awarded to the three fastest teams and the fastest individual. Proceeds from the registration fees were donated to the Korean War Veterans Association.