Duke Reservists support community's salute to military

  • Published
  • By Adam Duckworth
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  The Military Appreciation and Recognition Celebration in Crestview May 15 was a success, and the men and women of Duke Field were there to enhance the experience.

The MARC is a non-profit organization that provided the community wide celebration. Hundreds of citizens and more than 20 sponsors were at the Old Spanish Trail Park to show their support of the armed forces. Reservists of the 919th Special Operations Wing were present as well.

The communications squadron displayed their Global Broadcast System which provides news, weather, and Intelligence for troops overseas while the services flight set up their Single Pallet Expeditionary Kitchen that can serve hot meals in four hours to 500 Airmen in harsh environments.

Other squadrons represented were the security forces with their display of weapons and the logistics readiness squadron with their model BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" bomb unit, an inert version of the massive blast weapon that the wing once used to clear jungle landing zones and as a psychological weapon in Afghanistan operations.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Stogsdill, who played a key role in planning this annual event, was grateful for everything that Duke Field provided for the celebration.

"Duke Field has stepped up as our key force event coordinator," he said. "From the multiple displays to the extra help in promoting this ceremony, they have really added to this day."