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Keeping it in the family: Father and son deploy together

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Greer
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT --  For two members of the 419th Fighter Wing's 67th Aerial Port Squadron, service to their country is a family affair. Chief Master Sgt. David Sill, senior Air Reserve Technician for the 67th APS, and his son, Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Sill, an Air Transportation Craftsman in the same squadron, will have the rare opportunity to deploy to Iraq together.

"I'm excited, but mostly proud, both as a chief and as a dad," said Chief Sill on the prospect of deploying with his son. The chief, who is only a couple of years from retiring from the Air Force Reserve, is grateful for the opportunity. "There's been a lot of support from the commander and other members of the unit in making this happen. It means a lot to me."

Military service and dedication to their country appear to be ingrained in the Sill family DNA. Other members of the family who have served in the armed forces include an Army lieutenant colonel who served in a tank destroyer division, and a Navy chief.

Sergeant Sill looked to his father's and grandfather's example as part of his decision to join the Air Force Reserve.

"A big part of it was my dad," the sergeant said. "I saw it as part of my duty and an opportunity to serve. I saw it as a way to show my love for my country."

Family is obviously important to the two Airmen. Like other servicemen and women, both men explain that leaving family behind is one of the hardest parts of deployment.

"That's the bad part," said Sergeant Sill. "But I know that I'll be able to tell my children and grandchildren that when they were little, I was able to do my part in making the world a better place."

For Chief Sill, the fact that his children are grown doesn't mean that leaving family is any easier. He said he will miss his grandchildren almost as much as their father will. "But, they're proud to have their grandfather and father serve," he said.

As members of the 67th APS, both the chief and his son look forward to the opportunity to deploy with their brothers-in-arms.

For Sergeant Sill, who will be deploying for the third time in five years, serving overseas is a rewarding experience. "I enjoy the camaraderie and closeness. There's a brotherhood there," he said.

The chief is quick to point out that their circumstance isn't uncommon in the 67th, which he describes as a close-knit, family unit. This deployment includes two brothers as well as a husband and wife.

"You almost adopt other members of the squadron as family," Chief Sill said. "You trust each other to watch your back all the time. And deploying with family just adds another dimension to that."