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Most Airmen arrive at Kunsan Air Base with the expectation of
seeing new faces and forming new relationships at the start of their
yearlong unaccompanied tour. But for a father and son of the
Colorado Air National Guard, when they stepped onto the Korean
Peninsula, they continued a family legacy spanning three
generations.
Lt. Col. James Reeman, 120th Expeditionary
Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, and his son, Senior
Airman Mitchell Jamison, 120th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance
Unit crew chief, are assigned to the Wolf Pack as part of a
rotational Theater Security Package for approximately three months.
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Senior Airman Mitchell Jamison, 120th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, secures his father, Lt. Col. James Reeman, 120th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, into his jet April 16, 2015, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Reeman, Jamison and more than 200 Colorado Guardsmen are temporarily assigned to the Wolf Pack to support and train with active-duty Airmen as part of a rotational Theater Security Package. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen)
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"For this TSP, we are here to support and train with
active-duty Airmen, as part of [Kunsan's] mission to Accept
Follow-on Forces," Reeman said. "Our integration with them
and Republic of Korea Air Force Airmen provides us unique
training opportunities while solidifying relationships with
our allies. Deploying to the Asia-Pacific region not only
gives us the opportunity to train in a different environment
but also enhances our military combat capabilities."
Following in the steps of Reeman's father, who served 18 months in the ROK as an
enlisted Marine in the 1950's, this is both Reeman and
Jamison's first time being not only deployed together, but
it is the first time both Airmen have been to the ROK.
"Although my father rarely talked about his experience
in Korea, I know he saw a lot of combat," Reeman said. "His
sense of service played a large role in both of us wanting
to serve our country. Since being in Korea, Mitchell and I
had a special opportunity to visit the Korean War Memorial
in Seoul and learn about the history my father was a part
of."
Just as Reeman admired his father's sense of
service, Jamison too was inspired to join the Air Force
after spending his childhood around fighter jets.
"My
father was a huge influence when I decided to join the Air
Force," Jamison said. "Growing up in the unit as a kid, it
was a thrill watching him take off and even hearing the jets
start and seeing them fly. It really drove the gears and
inspired me to join."
With over 22 years of
experience flying fighter jets in the Colorado ANG, when
Reeman isn't deployed or conducting sorties on drill
weekend, he wears a different uniform.
"Many of the
guardsmen in my unit, including myself, have been commercial
airline pilots for almost 20 years," Reeman said. "Deploying
is always a little bit of a juggling act - with an employer
and our families - because they're not used to us being away
from home. But I have a commitment to the Air Force and
working alongside Airmen at Kunsan has been a reminder of
why I continue to serve."
Jamison, a full-time
college student, was more than eager to deploy to Kunsan to
further his training and to work alongside his father. As a
crew chief, Jamison is the first and last person to inspect
an F-16 before takeoff.
"I'm learning more and
improving in just two months of being here - from both my
leadership and from active-duty Airmen," Jamison said.
"Plus, a few times a week I've had the chance to be assigned
to my father's jet and send him off before a sortie."
For the next few months, the Colorado ANG will continue
to integrate their operations and missions with the 8th
Fighter Wing as well as the ROKAF 38th Fighter Group.
"Kunsan is a base in the F-16 world that many fighter
pilots come to," Reeman said. "As an older guardsman, to get
a taste of Kunsan is a huge privilege, but to be here with
my son - on the flightline, at the gym, at church - has been
a very special experience."
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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