Face of Defense: Brothers Serve, Prepare to Deploy Together

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Kyle Gese

52nd Fighter Wing

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany, Oct. 9, 2014 – A pair of brothers serving together with the 606th Air Control Squadron here is preparing to deploy together.

Air Force Senior Airman Edward Lomelin and Air Force Airman 1st Class Chris Lomelin grew up in Austin, Texas, and struggled early in their childhood after their parents’ divorce. The children moved in with their mother, and Edward stepped in as the role model for his younger siblings. This new responsibility forced him to grow up quickly to help his family through their struggles, he said.

Years later, Edward enlisted in the Air Force, and he serves as a radio frequencies transmissions systems technician with the 606th ACS. His mother said she was honored he made the decision to serve his country, and that she knew he would excel in his career.

Chris said he began to consider following in Edward’s footsteps after hearing stories of deployments and descriptions of military life from his brother, who encouraged him to join.

Hoping to be stationed together

Being stationed at the same base as Edward seemed unlikely when he was in training, Chris said, but he never gave up hope.

“I heard stories about my brother being in Germany, and I have been there once before,” he said. “I was taking a big chance by having Spangdahlem as my only preference for a station.” The Air Force takes stated preferences into consideration when determining airmen's assignments, but offers no guarantees.

But as it turned out, Chris -- a power production technician -- not only was stationed here with Edward, but also serves in the same squadron.

“This is great!” said their mother, Maritza Lozano. “Big brother will get to take care of little brother, little brother gets to look up to big brother, and we get to visit both of them.”

The 606th ACS is a self-contained mobile combat unit with airmen serving in more than 21 specialties maintaining more than $170 million worth of equipment.

Edward and Chris are preparing for a deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This will be Edward’s fourth deployment and Chris’ first.

“Not only are we stationed at the same base, … we are deploying together,” Edward said. “This is slim to none that this ever happens to anybody, and it’s completely boggling my mind how this all came together.”