Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Charles Gillman

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. (AFPN) --  "To be honest, you never get used to being away from family and friends during the holidays. What helps me the most is that they understand why."

The sentiments of Staff Sgt. Charles Gillman, a missile security controller with the 341st Security Support Squadron who has been in the Air Force for six years, are probably shared by more people than we know.

But the Tampa, Fla., native, who has been stationed at Malmstrom his entire career following technical school, went to work Dec. 25 to monitor the teams in the missile field and the status of the sites. He also briefed senior leadership on incidents or mishaps if the need arose.

It's all part of his responsibilities for keeping everyone safe.

Like Airmen in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ecuador, South Korea, other world hot spots and across the nation during the holiday season, Sergeant Gillman knows about sacrifice. Airmen are war fighters. They are highly trained, skilled and valued members of the interdependent force fighting the war on terror. They are always ready to do their job, no matter what day it is.

The Gillmans celebrated their holiday Dec. 24. Sergeant Gillman, along with his wife, Charlene, 4-year-old daughter Kaylana and 11-month-old son Caden, were joined by Charlene's parents for the early festivities.

"I'd rather be spending time with my loving wife and children on Christmas Day," Sergeant Gillman admitted, "or taking about two weeks to go visit my family and friends in Florida."

But knowing they are safe and secure helped him get through the holiday at work.

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