Iditarod 2016

Senior Airman Sean Buono, 477th Force Support Squadron, client systems technician, Tech. Sgt. Franz Martinez, 477th FG FSS, client systems technician and Jacki Honeycutt, daughter of Chief Master Sgt. Horace Honeycutt, 477th Chief Enlisted Manager volunteered as a dog handler for an Iditarod team during the ceremonial start in Anchorage, Alaska March 5. For the second year in a row the Air Force Reserve is a Lead Dog Sponsor for the Iditarod Race, known as The Last Great Race on Earth. The Iditarod is a 1,000-mile sled dog race across the rugged terrain of Alaska. (U.S. Air Force / Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Rae Moore)

Iditarod 2016

Col. Chris Ogren, 477th Fighter Group deputy commander and his wife, Amy Ogren, speak with Dallas Seavey, three-time Iditarod champion, during the Mushers’ Banquet in Anchorage, Alaska, March 3, 2016. Seavey visited with Reservists and toured an F-22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 2. The Iditarod is a 1,000-mile sled dog race across the rugged terrain of Alaska. This is the second year Air Force Reserve Recruiting has sponsored the Iditarod, which is known as “The Last Great Race on Earth.” (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Moore)

Iditarod 2016

Tech. Sgt. Equallia Love, Air Force Reserve Recruiter, stands ready to discuss recruiting opportunities during social hour at the Mushers’ Banquet in Anchorage, Alaska, March 3, 2016. During the banquet, mushers pull their start numbers for the Iditarod. The Iditarod is a 1,000-mile sled dog race across the rugged terrain of Alaska. This is the second year Air Force Reserve Recruiting has sponsored the Iditarod, known as “The Last Great Race on Earth.”(U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Moore)

Alaska Reservists support, sponsor 'Last Great Race on Earth'

Published March 11, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Rae Moore
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- As a Lead Dog Sponsor for the second year in a row Reservists from the 477th Fighter Group gave a warm send off to the 85 teams heading out on the 1,000 mile trek across Alaska's rugged terrain to claim the title of Iditarod champion.

Known as the "The Last Great Race on Earth" mushers, each with a team of 16 dogs make their way through checkpoints with the goal to finish in Nome, Alaska.

"Mushers and Airmen are no stranger to the sacrifice and dedication required to accomplish great feats," said Col. Chris Ogren, 477th Fighter Group deputy commander. "It was a natural pairing for Air Force Reserve, who is an integral part of this community, to sponsor a race that is rooted in Alaska tradition."

As a sponsor, the Air Force Reserve supported all of the Iditarod events.

During the Mushers' Banquet in Anchorage, March 3, Air Force Reserve recruiters were on hand to answer questions and pass out brochures while mushers pulled numbers to determine their starting position for the race.

The 477th Force Support Squadron members volunteered as dog handlers during the ceremonial start March 5 and Group members and Air Force Reserve recruiters were at the Restart in Willow March 6.

"I just moved here in October so this was my first Iditarod and it was an amazing experience," said Ogren. "Seeing the thousands of people who came out to see the race was unbelievable. It was obvious that this 43 year old community tradition is continuing to grow with each generation. As a staple of the community I hope to see our Reserve unit continue to grow and flourish with the same Alaskans I saw cheering on their favorite mushing team."

The Air Force Reserve provides a wide range of benefits similar to those you would receive if you were on active duty with one major addition: the benefit of time -- time to be with your family, time to continue your civilian career and time to serve your country.

Interested in joining the Air Force Reserve? Call 907-333-8723. For more information on the Iditarod race, visit http://www.iditarod.com