SOUTHWEST ASIA -- People often say "it's a small world," and for one Airman and Soldier that statement could not be any truer.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shanda Moon, executive assistant to the Command Chief, Air Force Central Command, and U.S. Army Spc. Alec Potthoff, 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade wheeled vehicle mechanic, recently made an unexpected reunion in the dining facility while deployed to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, here
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"I was eating lunch with my commander and one of my friends, when I saw my aunt for the first time," said Potthoff. "I was kind of in shock at first."

"We haven't seen each other in a long time," added Moon. "We knew we were out here in the AOR together but had no clue it was on the same base."

The two stated that due to their military commitment and different duty stations it had been approximately five years since they had seen each other.

"We really never get home at the same time," said Potthoff. "It's really nice seeing someone you know when you are so far from home."

Both Moon, deployed from Cannon AFB, N.M., and Potthoff, deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas, share the same hometown of Durango, Colo.

Potthoff was near the end of a 12-month deployment while Moon was only a few months into her 12-month deployment when their paths met.

"We just happened to run into each other," said Moon with a smile on her face. "It was amazing to run into each other this far away."

Moon has over 19 years of service while Potthoff recently completed his third year of service. Despite their military service this was the first time that they had been stationed at the same location.

"What is amazing for me is that the last time I saw him he was a teenage in high school, and now he is a Soldier in the Army, married and a grown man," said Moon. "It's amazing to see another one of my family members who is doing something terrific. I am proud of him."