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Team Shaw sweats to remember "Murph"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Ingold
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The word “Murph” has two meanings. It is a grueling workout and the nickname of American hero Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in battle.

Murphy’s Navy SEAL unit was ambushed by Taliban forces in June, 2005 and he left the safety of cover to call for support for his team. He was wounded making the call, but returned to combat before succumbing to his wounds. Murphy’s favorite workout, a mile run followed by 100 pullups, 200 pushups and 300 squats finished off by another mile run, was renamed in his honor.

Team Shaw honored Murphy’s sacrifice by performing the workout at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, May 24.

“We coordinated with the fitness center, the honor guard, public affairs and got involved with a lot of people on base to get together to honor Murphy for Memorial Day,” said Senior Airman Derek Pyles, 20th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist.

The full “Murph” also requires the participant to wear a weighted vest to simulate the body armor of a deployed service member.

“The event went solid,” said Airman 1st Class Austin Perry, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. “Today was pretty awesome. Everyone came out and did a good job. Doing hero workouts means a lot, especially with the base and the community getting involved.”

Shaw’s 2018 inaugural Murph Challenge reminded participants of the sacrifice made by Murphy and service members throughout American history.