Brothers reunite in Iraq, share security patrol mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Melissa Phillips
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  When many Americans think about the Army, they envision gunslinging Soldiers securing a tactical area.

When they think about the Air Force, many visualize pilots or mechanics preparing to launch an aircraft.

Two brothers deployed to Iraq, however, dispel those stereotypes.

Staff Sgt. Brian Czerniak, a patrol leader with the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here, helps secure and protect the 210 square miles surrounding the base’s perimeter from unfriendly forces.

His youngest brother, Army Spc. Derek Czerniak is an AH-64D Apache Longbow crew chief with the 2nd Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment at an undisclosed location in Iraq.

In today’s modern battlefield, the line between military functions often seems to blur.

“I maintain Apaches so the pilots can protect patrols who maintain security,” Specialist Czerniak said.

The Czerniaks, natives of Maple City, Mich., deployed to Iraq in 2003 and narrowly missed crossing paths. This time, after several near misses, they reconnected for five days here.

Specialist Czerniak is on a one-year tour in Iraq from Fort Campbell, Ky., and because of the extended timeframe, Soldiers earn a 15-day vacation and can choose their leave destination anywhere in the world.

Specialist Czerniak said he would have willingly given up his vacation to spend just a fraction of it with his older brother. As luck would have it, he did not have to make that sacrifice.

Both of the brothers’ leaders were supportive of reuniting them; consequently, Specialist Czerniak can still claim his leave at a later date.

“He told me he would rather do this instead of going to Germany and living it up,” said Sergeant Czerniak, who is deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. “It wasn’t a shock to me because I know my brother and he prefers life-enriching experiences, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Military service runs deep in their family lines. Their grandfather was in the Army Air Corps, and their father was in the Army. Their older brother separated after honorably serving in the Marines, and their middle brother is currently serving in the Army.

The only puzzle that remains is to wait and see if their baby sister, still in high school, will enlist in a service of her choice. Both men balk at the idea and jokingly said they will try to discourage their sibling, but admit it is a tradition they strongly value.

The brothers put their family at the core of their off duty time, and try to reunite often. Other than the expected “I will always be bigger, better, stronger and faster than you” ribbing, both of them equally respect the other.

And for a few days far away from hills and valleys of their childhood home, both men had the unique opportunity to witness the other’s service to the United States firsthand.

Instead of chilling out at the installation’s many recreation centers, the Czerniaks suited up in full battle rattle -- helmet and flak vest with their M-16 slung over their shoulder -- to convoy out into the searing desert to enjoy their unusual definition of a vacation together.

“He didn’t know we were going on a convoy until he got here,” Sergeant Czerniak said. “I wanted to joke with him that day and say, ‘Gear up. We’re going out there.’”

Sergeant Czerniak had visited his brother’s installation on security missions aboard cargo aircraft delivering supplies to Specialist Czerniak’s post twice before their reunion. Previously, he had barely enough time to peak in the direction of his brother’s work center.

“He was so close,” said Specialist Czerniak, who was not notified in enough time to meet the plane. “He could see the end of the runway, and I was only less than a quarter of a mile away.”

This time Sergeant Czerniak had the honor of escorting his younger brother back himself and safely seeing him to his post.

“We have a mutual respect, curiosity and interest in what the other does,” said Sergeant Czerniak, who noted they also now have a clearer understanding what the other brings to the fight.