17th SFS hosts ruck march in honor of fallen Airman Published Oct. 8, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Devin Boyer 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Service members honored Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson during the 8th Annual Airman 1st Class Jacobson 4.1-Mile Memorial Ruck March hosted by the 17th Security Forces Squadron Oct. 4. Each year, Goodfellow members participate in the ruck march to remember the Airman who gave her life in Operation Iraqi Freedom nine years ago. She was the first security forces Airman to die in the operation when her vehicle made contact with an improvised explosive device. "She [always had] a very upbeat type personality," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher S. Bauer, 17th Security Forces Squadron flight chief. "She always tried to stay positive even if she was having a bad day ... she would do whatever she could to make somebody else's day better." This year's ruck march did not follow suit to previous years. "This is the first year we've transitioned away from the traditional memorial and into more of a fun competition, and we do this in light of Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson's spirit," said Capt. James J. Nelson, 17th Security Forces Squadron Commander. The event consisted of a team competition and a self-paced ruck march. Teams of four filled their rucks with rocks and other heavy objects to reach the required weight of at least 50 pounds to compete. Team One, which consisted of Army Spc. Justin Rivera, Spc. Christian Maggio, Spc. Marc Nielsen and Pfc. William Morr, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion, placed first with a time of 55:30. Team Mustang came in second with a time of 58:09, consisting of Army Staff Sgt. Laurel Smart, Spc. Emily Sugimoto, Spc. Eric Jokl, 344th MI BN, and Airman 1st Class Nicolas Long, 315th Training Squadron. Team Renegade placed third with a time of 63:10, consisting of Army Sgt. 1st Class Luis Osejo, Spc. Matthew Edwards, Pvt. Scott Westfall and Pvt. Keagan Vickers, 344th MI BN.
