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A 22-year-old maintenance millwright was eager to join the
Massachusetts Air National Guard, but he didn't want to just build
upon his mechanical skills. He wanted to make a difference and serve
in a unique career field that wasn't found in the civilian world.
While meeting with a recruiter to choose a career field,
Donny Masciadrelli looked out onto the flightline at Barnes Air
National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts. His bright-blue
eyes widened as the recruiter pointed out the guardsmen working
underneath an A-10 aircraft. “Those are the weapons guys,” the
recruiter said as he pointed to the Airmen arming the aircraft. “And
the ones with the trailers are the munitions workers.”
“What's the difference?” Donny asked.
The recruiter explained
that the munitions shop builds the ammunition and delivers them to
the aircraft, whereas the weapons personnel inspect and re-inspect
the weapons and load them on the airplane.
His choice was
simple.
“Weapons,” Donny replied. “I want to work on
airplanes!”
Thirty-five years later while deployed to the
Netherlands, Donny looks out on the flightline at Leeuwarden Air
Base, sees his son working as a crew chief on an F-15C Eagle fighter
aircraft, and a big smile comes to his face.
After a full
career working on both the A-10 and F-15 aircrafts, Master Sgt.
Donny Masciadrelli, now an avionics technician at the 104th Fighter
Wing, finds joy in deploying for his final time alongside his son,
Tech. Sgt. Danny Masciadrelli.
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U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard Master Sgt. Donny Masciadrelli,
104th Fighter Wing avionics technician, and his son, Tech. Sgt.
Danny Masciadrelli, 104th Fighter Wing F-15 crew chief, deploy
together for the first time for an F-15C/D Eagle mission to the
Netherlands in April 2016. They are deployed in support of Operation
Atlantic Resolve along with more than 250 Airmen from the 104th as
part of a theater security package, strengthening relationships and
training alongside NATO allies throughout Europe. (U.S. Air National
Guard photo by 1st Lt. Bonnie Harper)
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Donny will retire from the guard in 2018 when he turns
60. Looking back on his entire career, this deployment has
been a dream come true for him. He's been able to see his
son in action and feels a sense of accomplishment from the
hard work that they have done along with other members from
the 104th Fighter Wing.
“We're always here for the
airplanes and the pilots,” Donny said. “That's our job–to
make things go.”br>
The 104th came to the Netherlands as
part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, showing NATO allies the
U.S. commitment to security in Europe, building
relationships, and increasing interoperability between
nations.
“We're really here to show them that they
know they can count on us to have their back, Donny
concluded. “That's what it's all about. We're not just
working with them and training together, but we're showing
them some of our capabilities. It means the world to me to
be a part of this, and to share the experience with my son.”
In 2001, Danny was eligible for the delayed entry
program and decided to enlist during his senior year of high
school.
In the 15 total years that father and son
have both been part of the 104th Fighter Wing, this is their
first time deploying together for an F-15 mission. Both
Masciadrellis worked on the A-10 until Barnes ANG Base
converted to the F-15C/D Eagle in 2007.
Due to their
two different career fields, Donny doesn't typically get to
see his son doing his job as a crew chief.
“This is
the closest we've ever worked together,” Donny said while at
Leeuwarden. “I've been able to come out and work in the tool
room and actually experience watching him this close.”
Donny has always been proud of his son, but that pride
has increased as they've spent time together in the
Netherlands.
“Everyday, I watch him and it just makes
me proud,” Donny said. “It brings tears to my eyes.”
Like any protective father, Donny used to worry a little
when his son would deploy, but through the years, and this
deployment especially, he's seen Danny mature and be a
leader, Donny said.
“I don't worry any more,” Donny
said. “He's been stepping up to the plate. Danny's out there
showing guys what to do, training them. He's leading; he's
not watching.”
Both Masciadrellis have the same
positive and fun attitude and laugh all the time. Donny has
seen his son apply these attributes while working on their
joint deployment.
“He's pulling the guys with him,
like I used to do,” Donny said.
Danny's grandfather
and great-grandfather worked as maintainers during their
civilian careers, which motivated Donny to become a
maintainer too.
“He's the hardest working guy I
know,” Danny said about his father. “He's really smart and
he's always taught me a lot. He'd also always have fun. That
‘work hard, play hard' mentality–he's always had that.”
Over the years, Danny watched his father work hard,
whether it was on cars, houses, or in the military. Donny's
weapons coworkers would often spend time at the Masciadrelli
home, and Danny became friends with their kids.
Through their mutual friendships, and the example of hard
work set forth by generations of Masciadrelli maintenance
men, Danny was inspired to follow in his father's footsteps
and join the Massachusetts ANG, Danny said.
In 2012,
both Donny and Danny deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom
but were assigned to different bases. Donny went with the
avionics shop to Al Udeid, Qatar, and Danny was sent to Al
Dhafra, United Arab Emirates.
About a week before
Father's day while Danny was at Al Dhafra, he Skyped with
his wife, who was pregnant at the time with their first
child. Tears fell down Danny's face as his wife opened the
envelop from the doctor and they learned the gender of their
future child. They were having a boy.
With heightened
emotions while being away from home, Danny decided to write
his dad a note, thanking him for all he had done throughout
the years, and mailed it to Al Udeid. On Father's Day, Danny
was able to tell his dad over the phone that he would be
having a son.
“He's given me a lot to strive for in
being a father,” Danny said. “My dad is my biggest role
model. Hopefully my boys look at me the same way that I look
at him someday.”
Danny has been married for five
years and now has two boys. It's wild having two little ones
at home, which makes deploying strenuous on his wife, he
said.
“My wife and stepmom have been very supportive
of both of us being away from home,” Danny said. “They
understand, especially when they see us going away together
and know that at least we get to spend some time as father
and son.”
By U.S. Air Force / Air National Guard 1st Lt. Bonnie Harper
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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