Across March, members from 3 Squadron balanced running the Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) with putting in the hard yards - or kilometres - for March On.
The Milk Drinkers - 110 Warriors topped the fundraising leader board at more than $55,000. They 'marched' 13,905 kilometres.
Organiser Flight Sergeant Phil Marsden, 3 Squadron's maintenance coordinator, said many participants ran around the base at lunchtime or clocked up distances in their leisure time.
"AWIC has been a high-tempo start to the year," Flight Sergeant Marsden said.
"I think March On gave people a reason to get out of the office and sweat, providing a break from the flying programs and supporting aircraft."
Soldier On's March On invites participants to run or walk 96 kilometres - the length of the Kokoda Track. However, 3 squadron decided to up the challenge from 96 to 110 kilometres in honour of its 110th birthday this September - the Commanding Officer wanted to put a 110 flavour on everything they do.
"I aimed for 110 members, but ended up with 123," Flight Sergeant Marsden said.
'It was a great initiative for 3 Squadron to support mental health.'
Participants in the event included aviators at every rank, including air commodore.
Flight Sergeant Marsden said funds raised would go towards Soldier On programs to help veterans and their families with support services, programs and activities.
"For the Milk Drinkers, raising money to enable Soldier On's support efforts is only part of our motivation. We're also very passionate about raising awareness of all the support activities and opportunities available to veterans who may be struggling," he said.
"We'd like to think that if someone is contemplating suicide and they hear about March On for Soldier On, they will realise and utilise the support available. All March On teams and participants are proving that people do care and there is support."
For 3 Squadron senior engineering officer Squadron Leader Robert McMullan, March On was a way to stay healthy and contribute to a cause as part of 3 Squadron's 110th birthday year.
"It was a great initiative for 3 Squadron to support mental health," Squadron Leader McMullan said.
After setting a goal of running 192 kilometres (a round trip of the Kokoda Track), he wound up running 236 kilometres.
"Witnessing all of 3 Squadron, members from 81 Wing and Headquarters Air Combat Group get involved was motivating. The Officer in Command of 81 Wing ran 312 kilometres," Squadron Leader McMullan said.
'I think March On gave people a reason to get out of the office and sweat, providing a break from the flying programs and supporting aircraft.'
Flight Sergeant Marsden ran 223 kilometres, including the 12-kilometre Hill to Harbour in 68 minutes.
"That's not as impressive as it sounds," he said.
"I was more of a survivor than a participant."
Flight Sergeant Marsden explained 3 Squadron has been known as the 'Milk Drinkers' since it was the Australian Flying Corps on the Western Front. Everyone was given a ration of milk and rum every day. The pilots didn't know if they were going to survive until the end of the day to enjoy their rum, so they'd put the rum in their milk for breakfast.
Outsiders who didn't know about the rum simply saw them drinking milk and dubbed them the 'Milk Drinkers'. 110 years later and that name is still carried with pride.
Donations for the Milk Drinkers - 110 Warriors can be made until the end of April.
