Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base (MKAB), Romania — The 1st Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron hosted a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) 24-Hour Run Challenge at MKAB on April 25, 2024, to pay homage to the fallen. Initiatives like these celebrate the indomitable spirit of those who have selflessly served and help to maintain a strong sense of community within service members.
“This is something that every TACP Squadron in the Air Force, worldwide, would host every year,” said Master Sgt. Evan Hume, the senior enlisted leader for the 1st EASOS. “We felt like it was our duty, even though we are out here deployed and focusing on operations and training that we needed to make it happen and do our part to help the TACP Association and memorialize our fallen comrades.”
This is the third time this event has been held at MKAB, but it is the first time it has been hosted by 1st EASOS due to the rotational nature of the deployments. The goal of this challenge is to complete as many miles as possible in a 24-hour period and donate to the TACP Association.
The event was held on the anniversary of the fallen Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano, who was killed in action on April 25, 2003, in Afghanistan.
“Personally, this event is important to me because I did know one of the individuals that are on the wall, one of our fallen, I went through training with him,” said Hume. “I particularly got to meet his family, his parents, his widow, and their daughter so I have a personal connection to those we have lost.”
Members of the 1st EASOS were not the only participants of the challenge. U.S. Airmen from the 13th Expeditionary Combat Weather Squadron, Army Soldiers from the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, Belgian TACP Airmen, as well as British and Romanian service members, all contributed to the cause.
“Anyone on base can come support, run, and log miles,” said Hume. “Any and all are welcome.”
Involving the broader base community in this event not only helped honor fallen airmen but also fostered a sense of unity and support among all base members. It also demonstrated that the sacrifices made by service members of any country are recognized, creating a strong sense of solidarity and camaraderie within the community.
“This is an event that puts us together, it shows that we are a collective effort and that it does not matter the branch or nation; it matters here that you are supporting, and we are doing this together,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronis J. Gutierrez, the MKAB Garrison command sergeant major.
Events like this run ensure that no fallen service member, no matter how long ago they passed away, is forgotten.
“We want to memorialize not just the actions but the people who are just like you and me,” said Maj. Christopher Ganczewski, the 1st EASOS commander. “So long as we say their name, they will never die.”
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