Photo By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Evans | Capt. John Driscoll II and Chief Warrant Officer Tom Driscoll pose by the Camp Adder...... read more read more
By Spc. Tiffany Evans
Multi-National Divsion-Center
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Two generations of Army pilots were able to spend time together in Iraq, though they served in different units.
Chief Warrant Officer Tom Driscoll, a native of Winthrop, Maine, and Capt. John Driscoll II, a native of Gloucester, Maine, were both stationed in Tallil, Iraq, from June until September of this year.
Tom, a medical evacuation pilot with Company C, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, last saw his son Thanksgiving 2007 before running into him at Tallil.
"While I was at Camp Adder, my father and I were able to hang out at lunch, dinner and occasionally after work," said John, G-3 Air battle major, 10th Mountain Division. "We were able to spend Father's Day and my birthday together while I was there."
While the son was working in the command section at Camp Adder, his father lived at Sparrow Hawk ready for any mission that may arise.
"John had the nice chow hall, air-conditioning and bed while I was sleeping on a cot at a forward site eating rations," Tom said. "In September, I moved to Camp Delta in Wasit province to take a spot for another pilot on mid-tour leave."
In October, John took a three day break to visit his father at Camp Delta. The visit may be the last chance they will get to see each other in Iraq.
"At Delta, we were able to hang-out, relax and chat with my mom, wife and kids on a web camera with both of us present," John said. "One day, we took a long bike ride around the camp's perimeter and took lots of pictures together to send home to our family."
They explored old bunkers and bombed out hangers while on the ride. Mostly, they hung out at the MEDEVAC living area with fellow Soldiers from Maine.
"I play guitar, and both John and I sing; so we recorded some kid's songs for his twins Hannah and Eve, 3, and his new baby, Lillie, 6 months," Tom said. "Also, I took several photos of John playing for the girls. They think that we are in the desert trying to rescue 'The Princess.' The twins are into Barbie Doll princesses, and my son concocted that story to help explain his absence."
John will try to attend his father's going away ceremony here in December if the mission permits. If not, they will see each other on John's mid-tour leave at Lillie's Christening.
"This is both my father's and my second deployment, but the first time we've been in country together," John said. "It's been surreal being able to physically be in the same location in a war zone as father and son."
Not many people get the opportunity to serve in war time with their fathers, let alone be in the same theatre and get the chance to be in the same location, said John.
"It's been a very unique and emotional experience. It made both of us proud," John said. "Looking back, it will make a great story to tell the Family, and even further in the future, when I tell my grandchildren stories about Iraq and how their grandfather and great-grandfather served together in Operation Iraqi Freedom."
Tom is very proud of his son for carrying on the Family tradition of military service.
"My dad was a B-17 bomber pilot in World War II flying missions with the 8th Army Air Force from England over France and Germany. He was 21 at the time of his combat missions," Tom said. "My son, a third generation Army pilot, is named after his grandfather and proudly carries on our family's military heritage."
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2008 03:41 |
| Story ID: | 27430 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 271 |
| Downloads: | 240 |
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