Mildenhall climbing team sets sights on Mount Kilimanjaro Published Aug. 1, 2006 By Karen Abeyasekere 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- (Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two-part series) Another year, another mountain –– and this time, it's Mount Kilimanjaro. Capt. Rob Marshall, 67th Special Operations Squadron MC-130 Combat Shadow pilot, and 1st Lt. Mark Uberuaga, 21st Special Operations Squadron MH-53 Pave Low pilot, are launching phase two of their “Seven Summits Challenge," first started in July 2005, when they climbed Mount Elbrus in Russia. The two friends are planning to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro –– which, at 19,339 feet, is the highest summit in Africa. What's different this time around is that they're being joined by friends and family who'll bring their climbing team up to 10 people. The climb, scheduled to take part in mid-July will be followed by a four-day safari giving them all a chance to unwind. Their long-range goal is to fly the Air Force flag from the top of the highest peak on each continent. Captain Marshall said he envisions the challenge as a way to promote pride in the Air Force and to highlight the diversity and accomplishments of Air Force members. "I hope the Seven Summits Challenge will inspire people to get in shape and reach for those difficult goals we all dream of achieving," he said. "I also hope it will act as a force multiplier –– something everyone in the Air Force can be proud of." In addition to their goal of promoting Air Force pride, accomplishments and fitness, the duo are using their love of mountains to support a charity important to them and their Special Operations compatriots. They hope to raise $10,000 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation –– a charity which provides college grants to the children of fallen Special Operations personnel. During their climb of Mount Elbrus last year the two raised more than $2,000 for the foundation. Along with Captain Marshall's sister and Lieutenant Uberuaga's father, Capt. Heather Healy, the 16th Air Force vice commander's aide-de-camp, Capt. Ryan Wilson and 1st Lt. Nichelle Brokering, both 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilots, and Capt. Jamie Rivas, an aerospace physiologist with the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, will also be making the climb. "I'm thrilled to be taking part in this adventure," said Capt. Healy. "It's all pure excitement. I'm not scared or anxious, just ready to get on and do it. Mark and Rob are really accomplished climbers, and I know that for anyone wanting to do a climb like this, these are they guys to do it with." Lieutenant Uberuaga has been a guide at Mt. McKinley in Alaska, and both men have climbed mountains all over the world, numerous times. "This is such a monumental challenge for those of us who haven't got mountain climbing experience," Captain Healy added. "We're taking a longer and more difficult route than people usually do when ascending Mount Kilimanjaro, but it will allow us more time to get acclimated." Coordinating the climb has been a difficult task because of everyone's varying schedules and the current operations tempo, but Captain Healy said once a date was set, the challenge just built momentum, and worked out for everyone. Although the effort isn't officially sponsored by the Air Force, the challenge co-founders are doing all they can to make the U.S. Air Force the first government or military organization to accomplish such a feat. After this climb, the two hope to work with the Air Force to get future ascents sanctioned by an Air Force Sports program or other official means. To prepare for the arduous journey that lies ahead, Capt. Rob Marshall and Lt. Mark Uberuaga have relied heavily on Air Force facilities to help increase their fitness and allow them to practice their climbing skills and techniques. "We use both gyms here and at RAF Lakenheath, focusing on cardio work and endurance training," said Captain Marshall. "We also rent equipment from outdoor recreation, and go on trips with them to stay active and use as training opportunities." He added that it is difficult to train for mountain climbing in England, so as an alternative they use the stair master while wearing heavy backpacks. They also do a lot of hiking whenever the chance arises. "Everything we need to train for this trip is essentially available on base, and this trip is one where you really need fitness," Captain Marshall said. "The youth center also has a climbing wall, we do spinning classes. It really proves the Air Force provides the tools to stay in shape -- you just have to know how to use them." Capt. Heather Healey, who will also be making the climb, said although she has never done anything on the scale of reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, she has hiked small mountains, such as Mount Snowdon in Wales. "It's only about 4,000 feet high, which is comparable to what we'll be doing each day on this climb," she said. "(Lieutenant Uberuaga) gave me lots of tips for climbing, including how to pressure breathe and when to take breaks so you don't become exhausted." "Nichelle has also had a very positive experience working with these guys. They ski-mountaineerd along the Alps together, on what's known as the Haute Route. She told me about the patience they both showed, and the complete and utter trust she had in them; it really encouraged me to make the decision that I could, and would, do this challenge. Mark and Rob are the kind of guys who really inspire you to their cause."