Spouses cover distance between them, deployed Airmen
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --
Over the past six months, spouses of deployed 28th Bomb Wing personnel walked, ran, biked and swam the distance from Rapid City to the location of their Airmen in Southwest Asia.
The spouses accumulated 7,500 miles in what is known as "Tiger Tracking," a long-term event hosted by the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, many of whom are deployed as part of the 37th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Named after the 37th Bomb Squadron "Tigers," it is a way to boost morale and remind spouses they are not on their own.
"At any given time there are others going through the same thing," said Loretta Luck, spouse of Tech. Sgt. Edwin Luck, 28th AMXS crew chief. "You're never alone."
While they contributed independently and recorded their miles to be included in the total, the spouses also gathered bi-monthly for a group activity.
Eva Burley, spouse of Master Sgt. Richard Burley, 28th AMXS production supervisor, held walks twice a month to symbolize the enduring strength and support the spouses have for their deployed Airmen, who are down range proving combat air power for combatant commanders in deployed areas of responsibility.
"I get sentimental thinking about the fact we're covering the miles from [Ellsworth] to there," Burley said tearing. "[We can] let them know our mission is to support them as spouses and families."
They held their final walk Jan. 17 in the Pride Hangar at Ellsworth AFB. Approximately 28 families and base leadership, including Col. Gentry Boswell, 28th Bomb Wing commander, added to the cause. The cumulative effort of sweat and determination allowed the group to cover the distance from Los Angeles to Chicago and back to LA on the historic Route 66.
The spouses described the time away from their loved one as difficult sometimes, but stated they are able to get through it due to comradery amongst each other.
"There are so many reasons to not get up and move, because we're sad, or we don't have that other partner here," Burley said. "So when we're all struggling to get up and move, this gives us that reason."
The spouses accumulated 7,500 miles in what is known as "Tiger Tracking," a long-term event hosted by the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, many of whom are deployed as part of the 37th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Named after the 37th Bomb Squadron "Tigers," it is a way to boost morale and remind spouses they are not on their own.
"At any given time there are others going through the same thing," said Loretta Luck, spouse of Tech. Sgt. Edwin Luck, 28th AMXS crew chief. "You're never alone."
While they contributed independently and recorded their miles to be included in the total, the spouses also gathered bi-monthly for a group activity.
Eva Burley, spouse of Master Sgt. Richard Burley, 28th AMXS production supervisor, held walks twice a month to symbolize the enduring strength and support the spouses have for their deployed Airmen, who are down range proving combat air power for combatant commanders in deployed areas of responsibility.
"I get sentimental thinking about the fact we're covering the miles from [Ellsworth] to there," Burley said tearing. "[We can] let them know our mission is to support them as spouses and families."
They held their final walk Jan. 17 in the Pride Hangar at Ellsworth AFB. Approximately 28 families and base leadership, including Col. Gentry Boswell, 28th Bomb Wing commander, added to the cause. The cumulative effort of sweat and determination allowed the group to cover the distance from Los Angeles to Chicago and back to LA on the historic Route 66.
The spouses described the time away from their loved one as difficult sometimes, but stated they are able to get through it due to comradery amongst each other.
"There are so many reasons to not get up and move, because we're sad, or we don't have that other partner here," Burley said. "So when we're all struggling to get up and move, this gives us that reason."
