Delaware National Guard - DNG News 2002

Early in the race, the Army team already had a big lead over the third place team. From l to r: 2nd Lt. Mike Jochen, WO1 Greg Calloway, Sgt. Dave Halley, and Lt. Col. Dan Arena. (Photo by Capt. Gerry Pennington).

For the second time in three years, the Delaware Army National Guard captured first place honors at the annual 10 km (6.2 miles) "Chosin Reservoir" Memorial Ruck March Competition held recently at Dover Air Force Base and took the traveling trophy back to the Army Guard. This year's team completed the event in a time of 57:28 and beat out 41 other teams. Last year's Army Guard team came in second place.

The Ruck March competition is held annually in honor of Korean War veterans, particularly those who fought so valiantly in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in late November 1950. In this battle, nearly 20,000 allied troops traveled through 27 miles of North Korea's mountains in sub-zero degree weather under enemy fire. Although allied troops were far outnumbered by the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army, members of the 1st Marine Division fought bravely in extremely cold temperatures during this epic battle, which will forever remain a major part of the Korean War history.

Near the three-mile mark, the team is still looking strong as they pass near the Dover AFB commissary. (Photo by Capt. Gerry Pennington).

Each team consisted of four members who completed the march in military uniform while carrying a 30-pound rucksack. A team's time was completed when the last member of the team crossed the finish line. This year's team was well represented with soldiers from each of the Army Guard's major commands. Members included Lt. Col Dan Arena, HQ, STARC Inspector General Office; 2nd Lt. Mike Jochen, 261 Sig Bde; WO1 Greg Calloway, HQ, STARC DOIM Office; and Sgt. Dave Halley, 287th Army Band.

2nd Lt. Mike Jochen and Sgt. Dave Halley show their winning form. (Photo by Amie Jochen).

This year's event was run in bright sunshine but with temperatures only in the low teens, the conditions were less than perfect. The DEARNG team's plan was to stay together and run an easy, consistent pace. Their strategy worked as they quickly outpaced many of the competitors early in the race and it soon became a two-team race between the National Guard team and a team from Dover AFB's Security Forces Squadron. Near the halfway point, the Guard team slowly inched their way ahead of the Security Forces team and never looked back as they claimed a one and a half minute margin of victory over the second place team.