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Air National Guard: A family affair

  • Published
  • By Capt. Vince King Jr.
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  It continues to be seen that the Air Force remains to be a family-oriented force and three brothers deployed here can say just that.

A family within itself, the Muniz Air National Guard members from Puerto Rico continue to be a self-motivating force with families working with each other to make sure the mission is accomplished in all shapes and forms.

Currently deployed here in support of the war on terrorism, brothers Master Sgt. Jorge Cantres, a flight engineer; Tech. Sgt. Armando Cantres, an engine mechanic; and Senior Airman Jean Audiffred, a crew chief; are a clear example of a military family working together every day.

"The guard is actually family oriented," said Jorge, the oldest brother. "There are cousins, uncles, dads and moms, serving in the same (unit) if not the same Guard."

The Guard, like others in the states, has families working with each other contributing what they can to get the mission accomplished.

Natural to them, the brothers said this isn't their first deployment together, but the first to an actual war zone.

"We have deployed several times together with our entire family," said Armando talking about his father, stepmother and other brother in Puerto Rico. "But this deployment is unique because this is our first one to (Afghanistan)."

Stemming from a long line of families in the Guard, the brothers saw and learned what they know about the Guard from their grandfather, father and each other.

According to Jorge and Armando, their grandfather, retired Chief Master Sgt. Jorge Cantres, was the first member of their family to join the National Guard and retired as the senior enlisted advisor for the wing. He is currently working in the retiree's office at Muniz ANGB.

Jorge and Armando's father, Col. Jorge Cantres, 156th Airlift Wing commander, worked his way up both sides of the force.

"My father enlisted in the Air Force in 1969 and worked his way to getting commissioned and becoming a pilot," said Jorge. "I've seen him go through the ranks from being a pilot to becoming the wing commander for the base."

According to him, both his father and grandfather were part of the reason why he joined the Air Force and now the Air National Guard.

"Out of my entire family, I was the only one to join the active Air Force," he said, serving five years before joining the Guard.

"Being in the Guard is like having an extended family," said Jorge. "To this day there are still people in the Guard that know me from when I was 4 years old."

In fact, all the brothers had similar experiences seeing the various missions of the Guard while growing up.

The youngest of the three joined the Guard in 2001, and said he could see why his brothers and brothers' father loved what they were doing and wanted to try it for himself.

"I was in high school and knew I liked mechanical engineering, so I started to talk with my brothers about the Guard. They told me about the various jobs it offered, so I joined," said Jean.

"We are a very close family" said Armando. "My family cannot be more supportive than they already are." 

According to the brothers, being together helps to make the deployment easier.

"It's almost as if we never left home, especially since I know my brothers, who are my best friends are here with me," said Armando. "I see my fellow Airmen and I just enjoy it," he said.

When their schedules allow them too, the three brothers spend their free time catching up, talking and participating in the various activities offered on base.

"We talk a lot and provide each other with a lot of (mental and stability) support," said Armando. 

"We talk about our family and how they are doing, trying to keep each other informed of what's going on," said Jorge. "And when needed, we are able to provide the needed pep talks."

Being away from home is time the brothers can spend together, keeping the Air Force mission moving while knowing their fellow Airmen and families at home are supporting them 100 percent.