Air Defenders from 10th AAMDC participate in the Nijmegen March

By 2nd Lt. Brandt AngeJuly 29, 2016

By Dawn's Early Light
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Long Walk
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The HHB 10th AAMDC Marching Team
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Members of the HHB 10th AAMDC Marching Team
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Between the Lines
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Members of the 5-7 ADA Marching Team
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Members from the United States and British Marching Teams
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Nijmegen, Netherlands -- Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in the 100th Vierdaadse, or Four Days March, building relations with military members from 34 different nations while pushing themselves to the limits of their physical fitness from 19 to 22 July in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

The Vierdaadse is a four day, 160 kilometer road march where teams and individuals from around the world carry a 10 kilogram marching kit while pushing themselves to cover 40 kilometers a day. This year 31 Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, along with 12 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 10th AAMDC participated in the event, making up over a third of the participants representing the United States Military.

Of the 50,000 people who participated in the Vierdaadse, only 42,557 finished the grueling march. So how is it that all but 2 of the Soldiers from the 10th AAMDC successfully finished the march? The answer can most likely be found in the Soldiers' hard work, determination, and over 200 miles each of road marching done in preparation for the event.

"We started off with 4 kilometer [marches] and ended with back to back 40 kilometer." explained Spc. Christopher Castillo when asked about his training for the event, "The training was meant to increase our endurance and to get us prepared to ruck long distances in a formation."

This was the first time since 2001 that the United States Military Contingent was represented in the Opening Ceremony Parade, and the team from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment was selected to lead the formation. To further contribute to the success of the event medics from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, partnered with fellow medics of the British 253rd Medical Regiment to provide medical support for all of the United States Military members participating in the event.

"This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It is hard to explain how much of a good time this event is." stated Spc. Christopher Castillo, "They make you feel really good about wearing the uniform. I recommend that Soldiers that are in Germany should try and participate in this event. If they can't participate, they should attend. This is an event that should be experienced in person."