Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. (January 2, 2024): Some folks see the impossible and say, “no way”. Others see a daunting obstacle and ask, “why not”? Technical Sergeant Alan Dwyer, an operations network administrator with the 157th Communications Squadron, is just such a person. In this photo by Technical Sergeant Victoria Nelson, Dwyer poses proudly in his hiking gear after conquering the Appalachian Trail, one of the world’s most challenging achievements.

Beginning in March 2023, Dwyer hiked through fourteen states hiking over 2,200 miles at elevations as high as 460,000 feet, a remarkable feat only a select few have accomplished. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 75% of people who attempt the trek do not complete it. This legendary trail, which begins at Springer Mountain, Georgia, and stretches along the east coast all the way to Katahdin, Maine, is the longest foot path in the world. The challenge is so popular that more than three million people traverse segments of the trail each year.

Dwyer planned his seven-month journey for years, putting money aside each month to support his journey. Once underway, he stayed connected with family using a geo-tracker on his website and his progress was tracked daily and reported to his comrades on the base. During the ordeal, Dwyer faced relentless rain, periodic flooding, and freezing temperatures as summer turned to fall. Most of the Appalachians are forests and fields that traverse improved roads, farms, and villages through the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Dwyer completed his journey safely, except for a few cuts and bruises, in October.

Dwyer’s accomplishment required skills common to America’s servicemembers, strength, endurance, and the determination to conquer terrific obstacles and never quit.

Support Our Troops adds its congratulations to Sergeant Dwyer on his extraordinary effort.