JBLM holds TACP 24-hour-run

by Airman 1st Class Keoni Chavarria
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/3/2015 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Airmen from Joint Base Lewis-McChord participated in a 24-hour-run event to help Tactical Air Control Party service members and their families recover in time of need.

Airmen from the 1st Air Support Operations Group, the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, and 17th STS along with Soldiers from the Army, ran in the TACP Association's annual 24-hour-run at JBLM, March 27 to 28, 2015.

The run was a fundraiser for the TACP Association in which the proceeds directly benefit the TACP community and their mission.

Their goal is to relieve some of the financial pressures families are in after the passing of a member. The association provides support to TACPs who are wounded in action and also assists families of TACPs killed in action.

"The event is charity driven and honor-bound with the intent to raise proceeds for the TACP Association and ultimately pay tribute to our fallen warriors," said Master Sgt. Glenn Wilderman, 5th ASOS operations superintendent.

This year, there were a total of 122 runners from Team JBLM. That team ran a total of 1,563 miles and generated more than $9,150.

The TACP Association's organizational-wide goal for this year's run was $100,000. With 5,153 runners across 33 teams around the globe, the association was able to raise more than $131,390 and run a total of 37,037 miles during the 24-hour-run.

The TACP Association raises money through sales of merchandise, memberships, and fundraisers, but the 24-hour-run is the largest fundraiser each year, according to Charlie Keebaugh, TACP Association president. He added, 100 percent of the proceeds the association raises go right back toward the TACP community.

"The mission of the TACP Association is to 'remember the fallen, honor the living, and aid our brothers in need,'" said Keebaugh. "The association provides support to members of the TACP community and families when they are in their darkest hours."

TACP members are battlefield Airmen who advise the best use of air power by planning, requesting, and directing air strikes against enemy targets on the ground.

"Ask anyone at the 5th ASOS and they'll emphatically tell you that it's not news that the TACP career field is listed by the USAF as a high-stressed Air Force Specialty Code on both the officer and enlisted side," said Wilderman.