Schriever Space Force Base mourns loss of Guardian Lucas Macaj [Video]

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Peterson Space Force Base has confirmed that 23-year-old Lucas Macaj, whose body was recovered from Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) on Thursday, May 16, was a Space Force Guardian at Schriever SFB.

Macaj was hiking Longs Peak in Boulder County on Sunday and last checked in with a friend when he reached the summit around 1 p.m., before dangerous storms moved in and Macaj failed to check in again.

RMNP rangers and rescue crews launched intensive search efforts, and Macaj’s body was found on Mills Glacier, near the base of Lamb’s Slide on Thursday. The investigation revealed that he had suffered a “significant fall.”

On Friday, May 17, Peterson SFB sent a press release confirming that Macaj was a space operator for the 8th Combat Training Squadron, part of Space Delta 8 headquartered at Schriever SFB. 

Peterson said Macaj joined the Space Force in August 2023 as …