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North Carolina father, son share deployment experience

  • Published
  • By Capt. Travis B. Tougaw
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  When an Air National Guard unit deploys, its members know they'll be surrounded by familiar faces. But, members of the North Carolina ANG's C-130 squadron deployed here are also surrounded by family. 

The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron came from Charlotte, N.C., with a father-son duo, as well as a pair of brothers. 

Lt. Col. Chuck Davis, a C-130 navigator, deployed with his son, Senior Airman Chuck Davis, a loadmaster. The two must fly on separate crews, but because of the number of aircraft the unit deployed with and the fact that both were volunteers, it worked out for the Davises to come to Bagram together. 

Colonel Davis, a ground school instructor for U.S. Airways in his civilian job, is on his ninth deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility; this is his son's first deployment. 

The colonel said that as both a dad and an officer he's proud of the work his son and others are doing here. "There are all these young people - Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines - doing great things, and it just brings it all home to see your son out there with them," he said. 

Following in his father's footsteps and joining the Air National Guard was a natural choice for Airman Davis. "I've known I wanted to join the military since I was a little kid, running around the house in my dad's flight helmet," he said. He added that his father's advice to join the Guard was among the best he's ever received. As a civilian, Airman Davis is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

As a loadmaster, Airman Davis' duties include loading cargo, conducting air drops, and supporting personnel movement. "Air drops are always fun," he said. "Not too many people can say they flew around Afghanistan hanging on the back end of an airplane, delivering water to troops on the ground." 

Conducting tactical airlift in Afghanistan presents several challenges to the air crews. "The terrain is incredible," Colonel Davis said. "And, we're landing on unproven airstrips, in addition to the quantity of what has to be done. It's taxing on everyone and the aircraft."
Colonel Davis previously deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Anaconda in 2002, which he described as a very challenging mission because the infrastructure at Bagram was not yet developed for supporting flying operations. 

"Bagram is more solidified today," he said. "But, now we're doing air drops and dirt landings and max-performing the aircraft again to support the guys in the field. Mission-wise, it's an incredible experience." 

Airman Davis agreed with his father's assessment. "I love this job," he said. "I always enjoy the flying and knowing that I'm making a difference getting supplies to the troops who need them." 

While the Davises deployed here as a family, they also feel a bond with their fellow Guardsmen. "We're all a family because we don't move around too much," Colonel Davis said.