EOD blows through mud run

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Holly Brown
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Eastover, S.C. --  A team of four members from the Shaw Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight participated in the 15th Annual U.S. Marine Corps Ultimate Challenge Mud Run at the USMC Reserve Center in Eastover, S.C., Sept. 20. 

Senior Master Sgt. Jason Hines, Tech. Sgt. Scott Ackeret, and Senior Airmen Michael Pasley and Trevor Brown, ran the 4.2 mile challenge in 50 minutes and 12 seconds, placing 101st out of approximately 1,200 teams and 9th out of the 53 military teams. 

"I heard about the mud run on the radio and thought it would be an excellent opportunity for our shop to participate in and get exposure to the local community," Sergeant Ackeret said. 

Throughout the course there are more than 30 obstacles to include; rope walls, rope swings, vertical walls, a cargo net climb, fallen logs, low crawling, trenches, dirt mounds and plenty of mud--ending in a litter carry. 

"The course was what I expected it to be, because I went out a few days prior to check it out. What I wasn't prepared for was the mud dripping over my eyes, causing my vision to blur for 30 seconds after each mud obstacle," Senior Hines said. 

The team prepared for the challenge during the EOD flight's regular physical training schedule, which consists of everything from racquetball to three-mile runs across base, five days a week. 

"The best part was probably maneuvering the obstacles with the team," Sergeant Ackeret said. "The worst part was the bitter-sweet exhaustion from giving 100 percent." 

The team agreed that their first time at the challenge was a success. 

"I think it was great for morale, and inspired teamwork and camaraderie in the shop," Sergeant Ackeret said. 

"Overall, I think we did amazingly well," Senior Hines said. "We could have done better if the course wasn't so congested." 

Senior Hines said the team is planning to compete in next year's event. 

For more information about the event, visit http://www.usmcmudrun.net/index.html.