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Like father, like son

  • Published
  • By Jamie Haig
  • 16th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) --  When Master Sgt. Jeffrey Porter left the 321st Special Tactics Squadron at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, he did not realize he would be stationed with his son.

Now, as a radio maintainer with the 720th Operations Support Squadron here, he could not be happier.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Sergeant Porter said. “To convince my son to join the Air Force is one thing, but to leave Mildenhall and a year-and-a-half later have him join me at Hurlburt Field -- now that’s awesome.”

Senior Airman Jeffrey Porter, a gunner with the 20th Special Operations Squadron, also thinks it is great.

“I grew up around the military and the Air Force. It was only natural,” Airman Porter said.

Sergeant Porter will retire Nov. 1, and Airman Porter enters the special tactics pipeline Sept. 2.

“Going through the pipeline is what I’ve wanted to do, and I feel I can make it,” Airman Porter said. “Starting out as a gunner was just a step toward what I really want to do, which is to be a combat controller.”

Sergeant Porter said he is happy he will be retired when his son makes it through the 18-month pipeline.

“He might get extra flak if I were still at the 720th,” Sergeant Porter joked.

The biggest event for both men came at a deployed location. They were at different locations, but within several hundred miles of each other. Through their chains of command, they were able to schedule a visit for a few hours.

“We were able to be together for a short time, and I was able to witness my son’s re-enlistment,” Sergeant Porter said. “It was an event of a lifetime.”

“To re-enlist in a deployed location and have my father present to witness it was the highlight of my career,” Airman Porter said.

Although they work in separate career fields, they see each other all the time here. It helps when Airman Porter deploys. His father can run interference with his mother.

“She worries all the time, but he’s very good about putting things in perspective for her,” Airman Porter said.