SSC Guardians participate in Norwegian Foot March with Marines

  • Published
  • By Lisa Sodders, SSC Public Affairs
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --  USSF Guardians from Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Systems Delta 88, along with CMSgt. Jacqueline Sauvé, SSC’s senior enlisted leader, joined U.S. Marines in  a timed, 18.64 mile (30 kilometer) foot march at East Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2026 that embodied the very foundation of service.

“The Blood Strike Ruck, a Norwegian Foot March,” event was organized by U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, bringing Marines and Guardians together in a shared test of endurance. In a gesture that underscored joint camaraderie, the Marines invited Guardians to participate, reinforcing the partnerships that strengthen the force.

Eighty-seven participants – which included five Guardians and one U.S. Navy civilian – carried a minimum of 24-pound rucksacks while navigating challenging elevation changes, uneven trails, loose gravel, minor creek beds and limited shade. The march began at 6 a.m., with a 2 p.m. cut-off.

“Coming together with our Marine counterparts to endure the suck builds cohesion and mutual trust that are critical in a joint fight,” Sauvé said. “Shared hardship breaks down barriers and forges the kind of confidence in one another you simply can’t develop in comfort.” 

“Opportunities like this also unlock something deeper, they show you that you’re capable of more than you thought,” Sauvé continued. “The more you deliberately step into hard things, the more you condition your mind and body to persevere under pressure and the less likely you are to fold when the mission demands everything.”

The Norwegian Foot March originally was created by the Norwegian military in 1915, as a test of marching endurance for soldiers in the Norwegian military. The march is used to assess Marines’ ability to move under load over an extended distance, build unit cohesion and enhance readiness.

“As Guardians, particularly those within MILSATCOM and the Great 88, our ability to successfully deliver space-based capabilities hinges on a deep understanding of the operational challenges faced by warfighters in the field,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Champaigne with SSC’s System Delta 88.

“Events like the Blood Strike Ruck, marching alongside our Marine partners with the same load, over the same challenging terrain, builds trust and provides invaluable perspective on the demands of sustained movement and operational resilience,” Champaigne added. “Through these shared experiences, we strengthen our ability to design and deliver a space architecture that enables strategic and operational command and control, while directly supporting those deployed at the tactical edge, ensuring seamless communications when and where they matter most.”

United States Marine Corps Lt. Col. Brian A. Kerg, commanding officer, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, said, “Marine communicators must be tactically skilled and tough as nails, moving around the battlespace to establish comms again and again. The Norwegian Foot March is an excellent way to build the grit and perseverance we demand in our Marines. We’re grateful to our Norwegian allies for giving us the opportunity to use their standard to cultivate our professional ethos.”

Following the march, Sauvé visited the System Delta 88 Narrow Band facility in San Diego, where the focus shifted from grit to mission. Walking the floor, she engaged with Guardians, recognizing the technical expertise and disciplined focus required to deliver Narrow Band capabilities. Discussions centered on operational impact, innovation, and the critical role the team plays in enabling global communications for the joint force.

“What I observed is a small but mighty team delivering outsized impact for our warfighters every single day,” Sauvé said. “Their technical sharpness, disciplined execution, and relentless commitment ensure our joint force stays connected, informed, and ready anywhere in the world.”

System Delta (SYD) 88 is the SSC Satellite Communications (SATCOM) System Delta that supports the command’s Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Program Executive Office in delivering integrated narrowband, tactical, and strategic satellite communications acquisition capabilities for the USSF and joint warfighters.

SSC SYDs consolidate the design, development, and delivery of systems under a mission-focused command structure for acquisitions. SYDs are complementary to Combat Forces Command (CFC) Mission Deltas, which are responsible for the operations and sustainment of space systems, and will consolidate all aspects of mission-area readiness under SSC’s current PEO organizational construct. 

 

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