Born just one minute apart, fraternal twins Quinn and Jordan Harrison have been inseparable “wingmen” since birth. For the past 22 years, these two senior airmen have shared everything together and been by each other’s side -- from playing sports in their West Palm Beach, Fla., hometown, to participating in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in high school, and even eating at the same Air Force basic military training chow halls.
After completing technical training together, they finally prepared to be separated for a long duration for the first time. However, fate would intervene again and reunite the twins in July 2019 when Quin joined Jordan as a member of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea’s 51st Munitions Squadron.
“I love being here with my brother,” said Quinn, a 51st MUNS munition control specialist who arrived two months after Jordan. “Having family here makes it feel like I have a piece of home with me and knowing a lot of people that were stationed with me at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., is even better. The (munitions) community here is tight-knit and supervision is very supportive. We are a collective whole.”
Although most twins are perceived to be complete mirror images of each other and have the same intuitive thoughts, Quinn and Jordan’s case is slightly different. According to the twins, most people among the squadron don’t know they’re twins because they are fraternal without distinct resemblances and have different personalities.
“We’re more different than we are alike, we are like alter egos,” said Jordan, who is an F-16 armament systems technician. “I’m more extroverted and outgoing and he’s reserved and quiet. We’re always joking about each other whether it’s the music we listen to or our (dressing) style.”
Their friendly competition continued as they took sides in the Air Force munitions community’s ammo versus armament, also known as munitions and weapons.
Make no mistake about the distinction between munitions and weapons Airmen. Those who do are usually quickly corrected. They will learn that munitions Airmen build munitions used by Air Force aircraft, and weapons Airmen load them onto the aircraft.
“Regardless of the rivalry and our differences, we can’t do our jobs without one another,” said Jordan. “And without munitions, the Air Force is just a fancy airline. Our mission is very essential and vital to keeping Osan ‘Ready to Fight Tonight.’”
For Master Sgt. Robbin Robertson, 51st MUNS first sergeant, having the twins adds to the unit’s mission and the family atmosphere.
“The 51st MUNS has never had this type of family dynamic before, but we’re excited about what these two brothers bring to the fight,” she said.
The opportunity to serve together as 51st Fighter Wing “Mustangs” and share the same Korean experiences is priceless for the twins. Before ending their tenure at Osan, they want to continue sightseeing around the peninsula, try new foods, paraglide and travel together.
“It’s nice to bond on something with someone you can relate to,” said Jordan. “When we go back home, no one will be able to relive the moments I’ve had except for my brother. Our friends and family think our whole experience is cool and once we part ways, I wouldn’t mind being stationed together again.”