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Photo Information

Marine Air Support Squadron 1’s mascot overlooks the Marines of the squadron during the annual Chieftain Run at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 13, 2014. The squadron ran three-miles in formation then continued to run in three-man teams for 24-straight hours in honor of their fallen brethren and in celebration of the Marine Corps’ 239th birthday.

Photo by Cpl. J. R. Heins

Annual Chieftain Run honors MASS-1 Marines

19 Nov 2014 | Cpl. J. R. Heins Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

Marine Air Support Squadron 1 honored their fallen brethren and celebrated the Marine Corps’ 239th birthday during their annual Chieftain Run at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 13.

Each year MASS-1 Marines run three-miles as a squadron in remembrance of former MASS-1 Marines who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during past and current operations.
After the squadron finishes the first three-miles, three Marines from each company within the squadron continue to run the course for a full 24-hours, switching in fresh runners every 30-minutes.

According to 2nd Lt. Ryan C. Brodarick, an air support control officer with the squadron, the purpose of the run is to remember the legacy of fallen Marines and to build a connection between MASS-1 Marines past and present.

All Marines from the squadron take part in the event. The run helps reinforce and strengthen the unit’s esprit de corps by recalling the past and looking toward the future, said Broadarick.

“The event shows how much MASS-1 cares about their Marines,” said Brodarick, a native of Southold, N.Y. “We care about each individual here and each individual here will always be a Chieftain.”

According to Sgt. Brandon L. Glasscock, an air support operations operator with the squadron, regardless of rank or tenure, the run is a tradition that all MASS-1 Marines value. The event is the Marines opportunity to take a moment and reflect on themselves as a person and the squadron as a whole.
“The run is a part of our history,” said Glasscock, a native of Delaplane, Va. “As long as there is a MASS-1, there will be a Chieftain Run.”

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point