KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea –
Most Airmen arrive at Kunsan Air Base with the expectation of seeing new faces
and forming new relationships at the start of their year-long 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.
"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."