HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --
The 70th Aerial Port Squadron held a Port Dawg 5K as an inaugural memorial to honor fallen members of Aerial Port Squadrons around the world on the track behind the Sam Johnson Fitness Center here May 4.
In late 2012 through 2013, 13 Air Force Aerial Porters or Port Dawgs died throughout the Air Force. This was a significant increase - in the previous year, only one person passed away.
"This is a great way to have members commemorate their fallen fellow Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Tony Rodriguez, air transportation superintendent of the 70th Aerial Port Squadron. "People were happy to participate."
Through participating in the memorial run, members of the Aerial Port community built camaraderie, exercised as a team, and reflected on total force losses over the past year, said Rodriguez.
"This event expresses the heart and honor of all the dawgs," said Senior Airman Brandon Meyer, passenger terminal agent at the 70th APS. "We all share this mission; it's good to know we are not by ourselves."
Similar events will be held throughout May at bases all over the world with aerial port units. This is a small gesture to remember those fallen Port Dawgs and honor their service.
The event is sanctioned by Headquarters Air Force for the third Friday in May, which by Presidential Proclamation is also National Defense Transportation Day. Units may decide to hold their event anytime during National Transportation week, which is May 11-17 this year.
The event is for any member of the 70th APS or transportation field, but anyone in any career field who wishes to attend would be made an honorary Port Dawg for this occasion said Rodriguez. Uniform of the day was PT gear, which is required to participate.
The mission of the 70th APS is to provide unrivaled deployment capability to the Air Force and Joint community whenever and wherever needed by ensuring personnel and equipment can process all deployable and home station assets through available Air Transportation services on time and on target to and from their destination.