Photo By Tech. Sgt. Alexis Wade | Family members Jerry Bond, Tech. Sgt. Kyle Bond, Tech. Sgt. Christina Bond, and Staff...... read more read more
Subscribe
Military members often take pride in being a part of their “military family”, those who may not be blood related, but are there for you and will always have your back. For one family in the Air National Guard, the “Guard Family” aspect is taken to a whole new level, having multiple family members serving in multiple capacities together since the Korean War.
For the Bond family, service at the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio, goes back to 1951 when Estle Vernon Bond enlisted into the Guard. Back then, basic training was held at the base in Mansfield. Estle worked as an air frame repairer in sheet metal, a career field his grandson would eventually become a part of. While serving in the Air National Guard, Estle got drafted into the Army to continue his service further, something uncommon for guard members, but needed at the time of the war.
Fast-forwarding 50 years, Estle’s grandson, Technical Sgt. Kyle bond, joined the Air National Guard following in his grandfather’s footsteps and currently works in the same career field, Aircraft Structural Maintenance, as his grandfather. Kyle now serves alongside numerous family members, giving the “guard family” an even deeper meaning.
Kyle’s father, Jerry Bond, currently works at the179th Airlift Wing for the state of Ohio under the Adjutant General’s Department that supports the bases functions.
“This is a great place, they hold a level or respect and friendliness and courtesy that you don’t see in the civilian world, I am so thankful to be here,” said Jerry.
Kyle noted that even if there are members that do not have blood related family working on the base together, the guard still is a family in its own sense.
We all look out for each other, we become so close and it’s a small atmosphere where everyone cares so much about each other, said Kyle.
For Kyle’s wife, Technical Sgt. Christina Bond, member of the Bioenvironmental section with the 179th Medical Group, she said that after meeting Kyle, she saw the amazing opportunities the guard presented and she joined shortly after.
“It is so great having family in the Guard because they understand what you are doing, and are extremely supportive of what we are doing,” said Christina.
Staff Sgt. Abby Sneeringer, Personnelist with the 179th Airlift Wing, is one of those family members. Being Kyle’s half-sister, Abby said that joining the Guard has been one of the best decisions she ever made.
With a tradition of service being strong in the Bond family, Kyle said that he believes the tradition will continue well into the future generations of the Bond family, and believes that “Guard Family” aspect will continue as well for many years to come.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2020 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 364730 |
| Location: | MANSFIELD, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Family Serves Together in the Ohio Air National Guard, by TSgt Alexis Wade, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
