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380AEW Article

Twins provide security for 380 AEW

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
Undisclosed location --  A six-month deployment to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia usually means leaving behind family and friends, but two members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing are an exception to that rule.

Air Force Senior Airman Edwin Espinal and Senior Airman Edward Espinal, identical twins and best friends, are deployed and currently serving together as security forces members with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

Selecting the security forces career field was an easy choice, as public service runs in their family. The twins' father, sister, uncle and cousin also work in civilian law enforcement careers.

The twins began their military careers with Edwin enlisting first in the United States Air Force in July 2008. Edward followed his brother's lead and enlisted later that year.

Their first four years of active-duty service were spent at bases located far from each other. While Edwin was stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Edward spent his tour of duty at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

After completing their initial Air Force active-duty enlistment they wanted to continue their military service and joined the 113th Wing of the D.C. Air National Guard.

"Eventually we decided to serve together and the Air National Guard was the best way to do it," said Edward.

They were excited when the chance to participate in a deployment to Southwest Asia presented itself. Edwin was first to volunteer and be accepted for the deployment and Edward placed his name on a standby list for possible openings.

Due to an individual dropping out of the deployment, Edward's name ultimately made the list to join the trip with his brother. They've now been deployed for more than two months together.

The twins work opposite shifts during their on-duty hours. Each one of the twins has heard comments from squadron visitors that they must be "the hardest working Airman on base." A polite explanation that the visitor must have met their brother during the opposite shift usually clears up the confusion.

"It's quite funny running into people and having to explain that I'm not Edwin and I'm not awake 24 hours a day," said Edward.

Even though they work opposite shifts, the twins make sure to schedule time together during off-duty hours to eat, work out in the gym or catch up on family issues.

"Our fitness levels are competitive between us," said Edwin. "When we do have a chance we'll go to the gym together and help push each other."

The Espinals said the best thing about being deployed together is they can rely on each other and confide in a life-long friend for advice when it is needed.

"Having my brother here takes the deployment to a whole new level," said Edward. "Not only do you have a wingman, but you have somebody that understands you. Your brother knows your weakness and your strength, and we're able to support each other."

"He's always there for spiritual guidance, and any problem I have he's always there for me and he knows I've got his back as well," said Edwin.

When they are not serving as drill-status Guardsmen in the D.C. Air National Guard, the Espinals are college students attending Marymount University in Virginia.

Edwin is studying criminal justice and would like to become a firefighter or police officer, and Edward is studying computer science.