(May 17, 2016) GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — The Warrior Jeep Team has made history by becoming the first to navigate a Jeep the entire length of the famous Trans-America Trail in one contiguous adventure.  With the purpose of raising awareness and generating support for wounded special operations veterans and their families, the Warrior Jeep Team set off on April 29 in a fully customized 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition and completed the trek on May 16.

Beginning in Southwestern North Carolina and ending at the Pacific Ocean in southwestern Oregon, the Trans-America Trail covers over 5,000 miles of mostly off-road driving.  The route uses dirt, gravel, jeep, forest and farm roads with numerous sections of mud, sand, snow and rocks.

"We are incredibly honored to be the first to navigate a Jeep the entire length of the Trans-America Trail," said David Phillips, Warrior Jeep team lead. 

"We couldn't have done it without the help of our incredible sponsors, each of whom deserve a special thank you from not only the Warrior Jeep Team, but from veterans all across the U.S.  We look forward to continuing our efforts to raise support and generate awareness for our wounded veterans, and hope our actions have inspired others to do the same."



Making use of everything from survival gear and aftermarket Jeep parts to off-road navigation donated by sponsors, the Warrior Jeep Team completed the trek in just 17 days.  The team now plans on attending Overland Expo West, Unlimited Off Road Expo, and Jeep Jamboree to further educate the public, raise donations and effect real change to see to it that our Special Operations Veterans are taken care of.  After these events are completed, the Warrior Jeep will be auctioned off with all the proceeds going to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Fisher House, who generously assist wounded veterans and their families.

"We feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to assist the Warrior Jeep Team safely navigate over 5,000 off-road miles across the Trans-America Trail," said Sam Muscariello, director of product marketing at Magellan.  "The team has not only made history, but also generated a significant amount of support for our veterans and we couldn't be more proud to be part of it."

The Warrior Jeep Team was formed in 2015 around support for Special Operations U.S. troops who were wounded or died in combat, with the purpose of raising awareness and generating support for these veterans and their families who often do not receive government benefits.  Even though special operations forces are widely recognized as the most elite military units, they often have more challenges in receiving their veteran benefits from the government due to the sensitive nature of their work.  The Warrior Jeep Team is comprised of veterans from various branches of the military including special operations, many having been wounded in combat.