248th ASB family members serving together across CENTCOM

Photo By Maj. Briana McFarland | CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin Fisher, an aviation electrician assigned to B Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade poses for a photo with his wife, Sgt. Nina Fisher, a supply sergeant assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade as they arrived at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 9, 2017. The Fishers are currently serving overseas together in the U.S. Army Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)  

KUWAIT

04.01.2018

Story by Sgt. Drew Shipley 

449th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Parents, siblings, spouses, children and several Soldiers assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’s 248th Aviation Support Battalion have been afforded the unique opportunity to serve together during an overseas deployment in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield in the U.S. Army Central Command area of responsibility.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Thoren, an aviation safety officer assigned to B Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade reflected on his experience deploying with his son.

“It is surreal to see Lukas in uniform, saluting him as an officer and yet giving him advice as a senior warrant officer would to a young lieutenant,” David replied. “The fact we are deployed together is something I never imagined. Words cannot describe my pride standing next to him serving our country.”

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Lukas Thoren, an intelligence officer assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion added his thoughts serving next to his father.

“I always joke that it’s a good father and son experience or something along the lines of a long camping trip,” said Lukas. “In all seriousness, I take pride in knowing I am able to serve alongside my father, and it’s an experience we will be able to tell my daughter about as she grows up."

CENTCOM’s area of responsibility operates in various locations and some of the 248th family member’s serve in the same location. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joel Miller, a petroleum supply sergeant assigned to A Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion mentioned the benefits of having his spouse at the same location.

“It is nice to see her smiling face each day,” said Joel. “I think being here with my wife has made this experience easier.”

Joel’s wife, U.S. Army Sgt. Heidi Miller, an automated logistics specialist also assigned to A Company recapped her thoughts on serving next to her husband.

“Having the opportunity of serving together has given us the capability to fully understand the sacrifices we have to make in order to serve,” said Heidi. “It’s comforting to know my spouse understands what a service member goes through.”

Other family members serving together don’t have the luxury of serving at the same location, however with ever-evolving technology, communication across the region has become easier.

“About once a week, we find time to sit down and face time each other,” said U.S. Army Spc. Taylor Tolan, whose husband, Austin, is located at another CENTCOM location. “His phone service varies quite frequently. Sometimes it’s very good and sometimes it’s non-existent, but usually we just use Facebook Messenger daily.”

In addition to technology, being a married Soldier also carries its’ advantages while serving on an overseas deployment. U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin Fisher, an aircraft electrician assigned to B Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion highlighted some of the perks.

“We are very grateful to be able to live together,” said Benjamin. “It makes communication back home so much easier. We rely on our family members to take care of our responsibilities back home. I think they were more excited than we were when they found out we can live together.”

Benjamin’s wife, Sgt. Nina Fisher, a supply sergeant assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion added comments regarding the benefits of living together.

“Being able to have a day off together is very helpful,” said Nina. “We work different shifts, so it’s nice to have a reset day to enjoy together as well as communicating back home together.”

Currently, these Soldiers along with many others make up the 248th ASB and are in the middle stages of their mobilization, performing ground and air maintenance, medical and support operations to serve the 449th CAB. They scheduled to return home later this summer.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2018
• Date Posted: 04.03.2018 04:48
• Story ID: 271451
• Location: KW