174th Attack Wing Airmen will walk around- the-clock to honor Airmen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan on August 17th

MEDIA ADVISORY

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SYRACUSE, N.Y. (08/16/2022) — New York Air National Guard Airmen will conduct a 24-hour long walk at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base to honor 14 Air Force Security Forces Airmen from across the Air Force, who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The local walk is part of a world-wide effort to honor the Airmen killed while defendingair bases.

Three of those 14 Airmen -- Staff Sgt. Todd "TJ" Lobraico, Tech. Sgt Joseph G. Lemm, and Staff Sgt Louis M. Bonacasa -were New York Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh and killed in Afghanistan.

Reporters are invited to cover the start of the event, which will include an opening ceremony and see relays of Airmen walking a three-mile course inside the base for 24 hours beginning at 10:45 a.m.

WHO: New York Air National Guard Airmen, family members, and other service members. Capt. Devin Will, the commander of the 174th Security Forces Squadron will deliver opening remarks. Senior Master Sgt. Tom Lobraico, the father of Staff Sgt. Todd Lobraico will participate.

WHAT: The opening of an around-the-clock event honoring the Air Force Airmen who are trained to defend airbases and lost their lives while doing so. This is the fifth year the event , officially known as the "Fallen Defenders Memorial Ruck March", has been held.

Members of the 174th Security Forces Squadron will carry a pack, known in military parlance as a "ruck" , the shortened form of rucksack, during their turn on the route.

The Airmen will ensure that somebody is continuously walking the route from 10:45 on Wednesday, August 17 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, August 18.

WHEN: Press should plan on arriving at 10:15 in order to cover the event.

WHERE: Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, 6001 E. Molloy Road, Syracuse

Reporters who wish to cover the event must contact Maj Suzanne Jedrosko at (315) 744-0693 for access to this secure military facility by close of business on Tuesday, August 16.

Coverage opportunities:

Reporters will have the opportunity to attend opening ceremonies, view the event, as well as speak with Airmen participating in the event and collect video and still imagery

BACKGROUND:

Airmen assigned to Air Force Security Forces Squadrons are trained to defend air bases in forward areas using much of the same equipment and following the same tactics that Army infantry Soldiers do.

Known as "defenders" in Air Force parlance, they prevent attacks on air bases and ensure that flight operations supporting other troops can continue.

Of the 14 Airmen being honored during the Wednesday to Thursday walk, three were assigned to the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing which is based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.

These are:

• Staff Sergeant Todd "TJ" Lobraico, 22, who was killed in action on 5 Sep 2013, in Afghanistan during an off-base combat operation and died from multiple gunshots received during a firefight near Bagram Airfield.
• Tech. Sgt Joseph G. Lemm, 45, who was killed on 21 December 2015 when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden motorcycle into a joint patrol with Afghan security forces outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
• Staff Sgt Louis M. Bonacasa, 31, was killed beside Lemm on 21 December 2015 when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden motorcycle into a joint patrol with Afghan security forces outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

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