By 1st Lt. Samantha Root, 184th Wing

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. — Airmen assigned to the 184th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 184th Wing, traveled to the New Mexico high desert to push their physical and mental limits during the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March, March 21, 2026.

The grueling event honors American and Filipino service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II and were subsequently forced into the harrowing march of 1942.

For the Airmen of the 184th Wing, the 26.2-mile trek at the White Sands Missile Range offered a solemn opportunity to build camaraderie while paying tribute to service members.

“The physical hardship of the march through the high desert terrain of the White Sands Missile Range—the elevation, the sand, the sun—is a small reflection of the immense challenges the original marchers faced,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Asher, 184th LRS. “Completing this march is about more than personal achievement; it’s about the shared accomplishment and the unbreakable camaraderie that comes from honoring our nation’s heroes together.”

Preparing for the endurance event required significant individual dedication, as the Airmen balanced the demands of daily life, temporary duty assignments, and unit taskings. Training regimens varied from high-incline treadmill runs to functional strength conditioning.

Lt. Col. Charles Ross, 184th LRS commander, relied on a rigorous weightlifting schedule and a unique foot-care trick carried over from his Army rucking days—layering Vaseline, pantyhose, and socks to prevent blisters.

Tech. Sgt. Ryan Marrin, 184th LRS, leaned on his endurance experience as a member of the Kansas Air National Guard Wildland Firefighter Team. He paired intense stair climbs and strength training while significantly increasing his water and protein intake.

For Marrin, completing the march carried a profound familial weight.

“I personally feel connected to the Bataan Death March, not just through my service but the service of my wife,” he explained. “My wife is from the Philippines; she was adopted by a U.S. Air Force Vietnam War Veteran. She, like me, also enlisted her service to our country in a time of war.

“That is the connection I personally feel with those service members of the Bataan Death March, a connection that also flows in the bloodline of our children.”

During the march itself, the sheer physical toll of the course tested the team, but the shared struggle kept them moving forward.

“What motivated me was the camaraderie from doing the event as a team,” said Tech. Sgt. Dallas Barnes. “The person to your left or right helps you keep focused, pushing forward one step at a time and honoring the soldiers who endured unimaginable hardship.”

The historical significance of the event was a driver for the Airmen when the miles grew long, remembering the American and Filipino marchers endured unimaginable cruelty, starvation, and disease.

“I view it as a rite of passage, a way to commemorate the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands,” said Ross. “It stands as a testament to the courage of the survivors and serves as a solemn tribute to those who perished. Participating in the memorial march is a way to ensure their story is not forgotten.”

As the team crossed the finish line, the exhaustion was replaced with a new perspective.

“It’s the benchmark of human endurance. They didn’t have the high-end boots or rucks, or the luxury of water and hydration packs,” said Capt. Jesse Hamblin, 184th Wing deployment officer. “Every mile was a memorial of their sacrifice. It’s a reminder when our lives get difficult or challenging that we get to operate in freedom because they held the line.”

Returning to Kansas with this renewed perspective, the 184th LRS Airmen stand as a testament to the enduring military values of resilience by honoring those who paved the way.