Team Maxwell Honors 17 Fallen Airmen in Memorial 3-mile Ruck

250228-F-TS276-1 — Airmen of the 42d Air Base Wing and the Maxwell-Gunter Air Base Wing community participate in a Memorial ruck march, Feb. 28, 2025. The ruck offers a way to pay respects to 17 fallen Airmen and reinforces a shared commitment to service and sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Darius Hutton)

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — On a crisp Friday morning, February 28, the spirit of remembrance and camaraderie filled the air as Team Maxwell gathered to honor and remember 17 fallen Airmen in the February Memorial workout. The 3-mile ruck march, organized by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher D. Thomas, served as a powerful tribute to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the month of February.

These 17 Airmen, representing a diverse range of career fields including Special Warfare, Security Forces, Communications, Civil Engineering, and Aircrew Operations, lost their lives in service to our nation while supporting operations such as Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and Iraqi Freedom. They are:

Lt. Col. John Loftis, Special Warfare
Maj. Maria Victoria Sanchez, Medical
Capt. Ryan Hall, Special Warfare
Capt. Nicholas Whitlock, Special Warfare
Lt. Justin Wilkens, Special Warfare
Master Sgt. William McDaniel, Special Warfare
Master Sgt. David Poirier, Operations
Master Sgt. Jude Mariano, Operations
Tech. Sgt. Scott Duffman, Special Warfare
Staff Sgt. Timothy Davis, Special Warfare
Staff Sgt. Luis Melendez-Sanchez, Communications
Staff Sgt. Juan Ridout, Special Warfare
Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, Civil Engineering
Senior Airman Alecia Good, Communications
Senior Airman Julian Scholten, Special Warfare
Airman 1st Class Christoffer Paige, Security Forces
Airman 1st Class Corey Owens, Security Forces

“As United States Airmen and military members, it’s our job to continue saying the names of our teammates who came before us and put their lives on the line for our country,” said Tech. Sgt. Thomas, Integrated Maintenance Data Systems, Enterprise Database Manager. “These Airmen and their actions continue to live on when we continue to say their names.”

He added, “It’s part of our duty as military members to welcome challenge and hard work, and that’s what we do with these workouts and rucks. We accept challenge and hard work so that we can not only remember them, but we can be better for them and their sacrifice. Chief Blazier said it best, though: ‘Memorial is a memory, and to remember takes active participation. It does not happen by itself.’ Part of service is taking that action for our fellow teammates so they can be remembered. These workouts and rucks are a small way that we take that action.”

Participants, donning weighted rucksacks to symbolize the burdens carried by service members, rucked with purpose and determination. The rhythmic steps and quick pace created a palpable sense of unity and respect as everyone reflected on the sacrifices made by those lost.

The February Memorial Workout serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of freedom and the unwavering dedication of those who serve in the U.S. military. Through monthly events like these, Team Maxwell ensures that the legacies of our fallen heroes will never be forgotten. The next memorial workout is scheduled for March 28, 2025.