Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Marine Aircraft Group 12 took part in 1st Marine Air Wing’s 242-mile run in celebration of the Marine Corps’ upcoming 242nd birthday at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2017.

The mission of the run was to develop camaraderie, esprit de corps and promote physical fitness while paying respect and commemorating all the years the U.S. Marine Corps has been in service.

“This run can teach the Marines that Marine Corps history and tradition is something to take extreme pride in,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jesse Duke, the chemical biological radiological nuclear defense chief with MAG-12. “Our ceremonies and traditions should be held and executed with an almost, if not entirely, religious level of reverence and precision because our traditions and ceremonies are exactly that, ours, United States Marines and no one else's."

MAG-12 along with other units under the 1st MAW, ran 48.4 miles. Three volunteers from each MAG-12 squadron ran their battle colors around a two-mile route at the air station to contribute towards the total 242 miles.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brown, a CBRN defense specialist and a participant in the run, said the run was a good experience to share with his fellow unit Marines and a way to celebrate the past while continuously working towards the future.

“It’s important we keep these traditions going on for future Marines coming in and for the future of the Corps,” said Brown. “It keeps building morale and helps us understand why we do the things we do while bringing us together as a brotherhood.”

Duke shared Brown’s sentiments and said the run had a personal impact on him.

“I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to represent our unit by carrying our battle colors in representation of both my unit's, and my own esprit de corps,” said Duke. “It's simple things like this that help keep me motivated.”