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Only 20 years, middle initial separate deployed family duo

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  The name is the same. The rank is the same. The game is the same, but they're not the same. Only 20 years and a middle initial separate two Reservists supporting aircraft at this Southwest Asia base. 

Tech. Sgt. Sidney R. Wolfe and Tech. Sgt. Sidney J. Wolfe are father and son who deployed together from the same base, room together and do the same job. 

They work opposite shifts here as hydraulic systems craftsmen for C-130 aircraft, since they are the only two of their kind. 

"Here we work opposite shifts, but back home we work the same," said Sergeant Sidney R. Wolfe about deploying with his son. "It's nice having him there. He's someone I can trust. I know what he has been taught and how he's been taught. We worked together before and know how each other works. We've always gotten along pretty well." 

The two take a light-hearted approach to the oddity of being deployed as a father and son duo. 

"They tell me I'm not allowed to go anywhere without adult supervision," said Sergeant Sidney J. Wolfe jokingly. 

"He takes up slack for the ol' man," his father shot back. "I'm getting old and senile." 

As if having the same name, same rank, same job and same base weren't enough, the two also have other things in common. Both are prior service who separated after a period of time, worked together, joined the Reserves and ended up at the same place, Youngstown Air Reserve Base, Ohio. 

Sergeant Sidney R. Wolfe, 52, was in the Army from 1974 to 1977. He was supposed to be a truck driver, but mostly drove a jeep transporting computer key punch cards. Later he was detailed to drive for a lieutenant colonel and for "General Patton." 

"I tell everyone I drove for General Patton and they don't believe me," he said laughing. "It wasn't the World War II Patton, it was his son, a two star." 

After 20 years of working various jobs, one of which was working for a well digging company along with his son, he decided to come back into the military. 

"I missed the military," he said. "I originally wanted to go in the Air Force. So when the opportunity came up for me to come back in, I jumped at it. I wish I'd done it long before I did." 

His son, likewise, decided to return to service after separating. He was an egress technician for F-111 and F-15 aircraft at Cannon AFB, N.M. He separated in 1999, but followed in his dad's footsteps after a year as a civilian. 

"Dad had to go up to the base for some reason and asked me to come up with him," he explained. "The next thing I know I'm signing papers to join the Reserves. I came from fighters - going to a cargo base my job was eliminated. So, I asked them what they had available for jobs and they gave me a long list. Hydraulics was one of them. Dad was already in the hydraulics shop so I had an inside there. So, I said what the heck I'll do hydraulics. That's how we ended up together." 

Being in the same unit doing the same job with the same name as your father is not without its drawbacks. 

"Really the only challenge we face, and it's not just here but back home too, is the administration side - them keeping us straight," said Sergeant Sidney R. Wolfe.
"It was a nightmare at Youngstown for about a year," said his son. "They had me married to my mother. It was horrible." 

Phone calls also get confusing for the Hanoverton, Ohio, natives. 

"They'll ask for Sergeant Wolfe, and we will ask 'Which one?'" said the younger Wolfe. "'I mean Technical Sergeant Wolfe,' they'll say. 'Which one?' 'I mean Sidney Wolfe,' they'll say. 'Which one?' A lot of people who don't know us think we're pulling their leg. We often have to get someone else on the phone to explain the situation." 

Despite the challenges of the situation, both father and son appreciate being able to work together supporting the Global War on Terror. 

"The best thing about being able to work together is the comfort factor," said Sergeant Sidney J. Wolfe, 32. "Before I worked in the Reserves, dad and I worked in another place together. It's good just knowing how we each work. It's not all peaches and cream all the time. He has his ideas and I have mine. We butt heads occasionally, but it's a comfort knowing if I've got a question I can go to dad and he'll take the time to explain it to me - father to son. Vice versa if he comes to me with a question, I'll say you should already know that!" 

Both have gained a profound respect for each other through their close contact. The father called his son "a very, very intelligent individual," and the son praised his father's mechanical "genius." The younger Wolfe also said his father had been there for him through the tough times. 

"We've worked together on many jobs," said his father. "I'd say we're probably about as close together as we can get."