Wing members run to remember fallen Shell 77 victims

  • Published
  • By Maj. Erin Karl
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Members of the 916th joined the tanker community worldwide to participate in a memorial run for the three members of Shell 77 who died when their KC-135 went down in Kyrgyzstan earlier this year. The purpose of the run was to honor the fallen and raise money for the families the two pilots and boom operator left behind.

Through an effort organized through the Web site www.youcaring.com/honoringshell77, more than $26,000 has been raised. Much of that was from race participants who each donated $25 to the cause.

Former 916th boom operator Ashly Peek helped organize the Seymour Johnson location of the fundraiser. She was friends with Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey, the boom operator killed on the flight.

"I was deployed with him and actually had the pleasure of flying with him as well," said Peek. "He was a very sharp instructor boom with a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh, make jokes and have fun. I am very honored to have had the pleasure of not only knowing but being able to call him a friend."

The tanker community is well known for being a very close knit group.

"This was a chance for the Air Force community to come together as a team and honor our fallen brethren, and to take care of our own," said Col. Caroline Evernham, 916th Operations Group commander. "It's incredible how everyone rallies when they are really needed, and how we look out for each other, even those we don't know. This could be any one of us, at any time, and it is comforting to know that we are part of a larger family, and they will look out for my family if it's ever needed."