Family’s love of service takes them apart, brings them together

Published April 8, 2013
By Master Sgt. Leisa Grant
Air Force Central Command Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- "There's a guy in my squadron who spells his name the same way," said a young Airman, after noticing the nametape of Lt. Col. Robert, a pilot assigned to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here.

"I know," Robert said. "He's my son."

Robert and his son, Capt. Justin, chief of scheduling at the 361st ERS, are both currently deployed here and are closer - physically - now than they have been in years.

"I will probably see Justin more in the next four months than I have the last couple of years put together," Robert said.

Robert, a 1978 graduate of the Air Force Academy, retired in 1999 after a long and distinguished career as both an F-16 instructor pilot and a T-38 training squadron commander - all before his son reached high school.

Justin graduated from the University of Central Florida almost a decade later in 2008 and followed in his father's jet stream by becoming an Air Force pilot.

Justin is an Air Education and Training Command instructor pilot at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Wheraes, Robert is typically at the controls of remotely piloted aircraft at Creech AFB, Nev.

Before either was tasked to deploy, it would have seemed "incredibly unlikely" for their paths to cross in Afghanistan, Robert said.

In 2010 after flying commercial jetliners since his military retirement, Robert answered the Air Force's need for pilots through a program called the Rated Retired Officer Recall Program. He signed up once again, to serve four years.

In late 2012, Justin was tasked to deploy and take on a non-flying role as chief scheduler for an MC-12 unit. Robert had been flying RPAs from his home station and deployed before, but he wanted additional operational experience in Afghanistan before the end of the year, when his tour ends and he officially retires.

"It's a little surreal to be here at the same time," Justin said. "I know families probably do deploy together, but to have your father here, someone who is prior military with such a long, outstanding career, it's just great."

With two members of their close-knit family away, loved ones back home could think it a misfortune. But Robert and Justin's families could not be more excited or proud.

"My wife raised an eyebrow when she found out we would both be out here at the same time," Robert said.

Robert's wife, Alice, the daughter of a retired Air Force senior master sergeant, has lived and breathed military life.

"I know of no other life except living as a wife, mom and grandma of Air Force members," Alice said, and she hopes the military will remain a legacy for the family for many future generations.

Brittany, Justin's wife said she knew she would need to surround herself with friends and family during his absence, but was more worried about Justin. Then the word spread quickly that Robert would be going to the same place at almost the same time.

"It was an immediate relief," Brittany said. "Not only would he have someone he knew joining him, he would have one of his best friends - his dad."

And here, they are trying to do exactly what best friends would do together - meals, gym time, board games, talk shop, coffee and more.

The challenge is that their schedules here are almost opposite. Robert reports to the 62nd ERS after the sunset, just hours after Justin returns from his duties at the 361st ERS.

They said they plan to take every opportunity to spend time together, even if that means living under the same roof, just as they did from the day Justin was born at an air base, in Spain, until the day he left for college.

The idea of "moving back in with your parents" might seem less than ideal under most circumstances. However, the two realized it might be the only way to see each other regularly.

Justin said he has plans to introduce his father to how he likes to unwind.

"Maybe I can teach him Modern Warfare," said Justin, with a smirk.

"Oh, man," Robert said, as he chuckled. "I'm technically challenged. Get me in a [Play station III] and he'll kill me every time. That's probably why he wants me to do it."

Justin may one day earn the rank of lieutenant colonel, and share in common with his father. But, for now they have both become First Assignment Instructor Pilots, both enjoy similar activities and both possess a love and strong sense of dedication to family, flight and country.

Editor's note: Last names of military members working in the Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions are intentionally withheld.