Aviano Airman unites with son during deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs.
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Air Force blue runneth over for two Airmen with the same name and mission, as they received an opportunity to work hand-in-hand, faithful to the same proud heritage. 

Master Sgt. Torre Phillips and his son Senior Airman David Phillips are currently working side-by-side for four months in the Republic of Korea as American Airmen, wingmen and warriors, answering their nation's call to fly, fight and win. 

While Airman Phillips, a conventional munitions crew member with the 8th Maintenance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, builds them, Sergeant Phillips, 31st MXS munitions inspector from Aviano Air Base, inspects them. 

"It's cool (having your dad around) because he's a good supervisor and he knows what he's doing," Airman Phillips said. "He's probably one of the smartest ammo guys out here." 

Normally assigned to Aviano Air Base, Sergeant Phillips is deployed to Kunsan Air Base in support of a 120-day air expeditionary force rotation. 

Working with his son as the 8th MXS's non-commissioned officer in charge of inspections, Sergeant Phillips admits it's hard not to show favoritism in the shop. 

"It's really interesting," Sergeant Phillips said. "It does present some challenges, but it's also good because I can see where his knowledge base is and what he's learning through the military. It's a job I know." 

Airman Phillips has worked in munitions for three years. It's his job as a conventional munitions crew member to build 8th FW Guided Bomb Unit-12 laser-guided bombs, Mk-82 and -84 "dumb bombs," Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or "JDAMs" and handle 20-millimeter ammunition for the F-16's internal gun. Plainly put, Airman Phillips said "if a bomb needs to fly on a particular day, we'll build one." 

With his son now a father and a husband, Sergeant Phillips, a 23-year Air Force veteran, recalled the moment David told him he was going to become an Airman. 

"I was shocked at first," he admitted. "But then we sat him down and talked to him about the reason he was doing it. Ultimately, I was excited because of the career move, but we weren't sure if he was ready for the discipline. Once we ... found it was truly what he wanted to do, I went with him to the recruiter." 

Airman Phillips remembered the situation a little differently. As a junior in high school, he was ready to begin making plans for after graduation. He was impressed with what he saw of the Air Force, but said he felt there was more to joining than just making plans for the future. 

"It was cool to join because I knew he would be proud of me," Airman Phillips said. "I wasn't 100-percent sure about (Basic Military Training) and I wanted to get his outlook on it, but overall I was excited to tell him. I was kind of walking in his footsteps." 

Both know the day is approaching when Sergeant Phillips will return to Aviano Air Base, scheduled for early October. But the two won't be separated for long. David currently has orders to the Italian base. 

"We're excited because in the military, you tend to not see family as much as you'd like," Sergeant Phillips said of how he and his wife feel about living near David and his family. "We'll be near them but, also, near our grandchild."