A group of Marines this week conducted a 55-mile relay run starting at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and heading up the coast.
The event culminated with a 5-mile hike, ending at the graduation ceremony for Fox Company, Marine Combat Training, School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton.
The event was spearheaded by Capt. Tyler Chittick, a KC-130J pilot and Marine of 16 years. He has run three other ultra-marathon events, all in support of Marine veteran Sgt. Milan Franklin, who lost his legs after an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan in 2011.
Each year, Chittick brings Marines together to complete a challenging activity in honor of fallen and disabled veterans. This year they came from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Upon completion of the hike, Chittick presented the VMGR-352 and U.S. Marine Corps flag to the Fox Company honor graduate.
“I want to bring the young, enlisted Marines back to where they came up in the Marine Corps,” Chittick said. “That’s where they started their journey and we get to embrace this experience together where it all began.”