Twin brothers in arms

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Randy L. Mitchell
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  Some brothers live near each other. Some take vacations together. And some share grand adventures. But seldom do two deploy to a war zone to see more of one another.

Travis and Terence Mimms did. Identical twins born eight minutes apart, they found themselves deployed to the same location.

Strange enough in itself. But it gets better because they are in different career fields and stationed at separate bases.

“We actually see more of each other now than we did before deploying,” said Airman 1st Class Travis Mimms of the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and eldest of the two.

“We can chill together just about every day,” said Airman 1st Class Terence Mimms of the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. “Back at our home stations, it’s a little different because of the distance and our work schedules.”

The distance back home isn’t much. Travis is at Hurlburt Field and Terence is at Eglin Air Force Base -- a few miles apart on the Florida panhandle. But working and living the single life can sometimes find the two going weeks without seeing each another.

The brothers from Clarksville, Tenn., are devoted Airmen making a positive impact within their work areas.

“Travis is always willing to learn new tasks and has a ‘can do’ attitude,” chief of supply Senior Master Sgt. William Manley said. “Travis excelled in his duties in the armory, but has also done a great job working in the receiving section processing incoming supplies. He is truly a team player and dedicated Airman.”

They see each other daily and enjoy their off-duty time together working out in the gym, playing sports or just watching a movie.

They both joined the Air Force for the educational benefits and to travel. But neither expected they would travel to Iraq during the same rotation.

Their mother, Tanya, who still lives in Clarksville, wasn’t pleased when she first found out.

Terence, who splits his time between working entry control points and patrols to keep the base safe and secure, was the first to find out he was deploying -- and to tell his mother.

“Originally, I was the only one deploying, and I was supposed to be going to Balad Air Base,” Terence said. “So later, when Travis told her he was going to Baghdad, she really got heated.”

In fact, Travis deployed first and didn’t know his brother’s deployment had been changed to Baghdad.

“I was the first one here,” Travis said. “I was walking to the gym and saw a figure walking my way. I thought ‘This person looks like me and walks the same as I do.’ So when he got closer I thought ‘That is me’ … my twin!

“We just smiled and hugged each other,” Travis said. “Terence told me he went to the recreation tent, where someone began talking to him thinking he was me. It took several minutes before the person believed he was my twin brother.

“That made my mother more comfortable,” Travis said. “Knowing we were together, she just told us to watch out for each other.”

The two are enjoying their time together for more reasons than one.

“It’s good being here together,” Terence said, “At least I have someone I can relate to.”

“It’s kind of funny seeing each other,” Travis added, “especially when people get us confused.”

That happens often, but there is a way to tell them apart. In his duty uniform, Terence wears a security forces patch. In his physical training uniform, tattoos are evident on each arm –- initials on his right forearm and a black panther on his left.

Even though the two enjoy each other’s company, they are still mindful of their mission.

“It’s a blessing to defend my country alongside my brother in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to be a part of history,” Terence said. “This is something that will never be forgotten.”