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Port Dawgs honor fallen comrades through memorial run

A U.S. Airman takes a break from running at the halfway point during a Port Dawg memorial run at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., May 14, 2019. The memorial run is traditionally held around National Transportation Week and National Defense Transportation Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

Port Dawgs honor fallen comrades through memorial run

U.S. Airmen stand for a photo prior to a Port Dawg memorial run at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., May 14, 2019. Air transportation specialists, also known as Port Dawgs, are responsible for moving assets for various missions including prior to and after deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

Port Dawgs honor fallen comrades through memorial run

Published May 20, 2019
By Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Air transportation specialists, also known as Port Dawgs, from the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron participated in a memorial run at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, to honor the lives of Air Force air transportation specialists, May 14.

Port Dawgs are responsible for safely and quickly managing cargo to allow units to move around as the mission requires.

“Unfortunately, working around heavy equipment can be hazardous and lead to people getting injured or killed,” said Senior Airman Calvin Lourens, 20th LRS air transportation specialist.

The run specifically honored seven specialists who have passed in the previous year from various causes.

“We’re a tight-knit community and our job is very much about connections,” said Lourens, who previously worked with one of the individuals being remembered. “We hate to see anybody lost.”

“There’s a certain week timeframe we do it in, it’s essentially a Port Dawg appreciation time,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Lacey, 20th LRS air transportation specialist. “We try to do this run annually to honor the ones who are still here and the ones who have fallen.”

The memorial run is traditionally held around National Transportation Week, May 13-19, and National Defense Transportation Day, the third Friday in May, which honor the contributions of individuals working in the transportation industry.