Jet fuel runs in the family

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  For many, a father has an important role in their lives. Children look up to their dad for advice, leadership and knowledge and want to follow in his footsteps. This may change as they grow older, but for certain people the desire to be like their father doesn't change.

Colonel Bruce Edwards, Air Combat Command (ACC) chief flight surgeon stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Airman 1st Class Jason Edwards, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief stationed here are more than just two active duty servicemembers, they are father and son.

Col. Edwards has served for 20 years and throughout his career, he experienced a lot, he said. He attended medical school at the Department of Defense Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and commissioned as a flight surgeon. From there he earned his wings flying an F-111 and eventually the F-15E.

He expanded his knowledge base by returning to college to study public health, aerospace medicine and occupational medicine, which lead him to become the AFCENT surgeon general during a recent deployment and the current ACC chief flight surgeon.

"I think my dad inspired me all along," Jason said. "When I was little, I used to sit on the couch and wear his helmet and make airplane noises. I wanted to be like him."

Jason has been in the Air Force for more than two years. He enlisted for educational purposes and to follow the family tradition of being in the military. Before Jason came into the military he worked odd jobs around his town, but especially enjoyed being a crew chief for privately-owned aircraft at a small airport, triggering his decision to become a crew chief in the Air Force.

"Joining the military was good for him," the colonel stated. "He could have gone in as an officer if he went to school, but he needed to live a little and grow up for awhile. I guess I did the same thing. It took me nine years to get my undergraduate [degree] because I decided to goof off a little bit, like he does."

Being enlisted and having an officer as a father may cause problems for some, but not for this family.

"It impacted our home life for about the first week he was back after basic," Col. Edwards said. "It kind of freaked him out but he got over it instantly. When he got home he was the same kid that he was [before he left] and it was the same family."

"I think my dad has more respect for me because I learned to have more respect for him and appreciated what he did more," Jason said. "He thought I had a lot of learning and growing up to do and now he sees that I'm on my way."

Aside from being in the military and being father and son, Col. Edwards and Jason do a lot together. Jason has marshalled his father out on the flightline before and helped build and fly their own plane.

"He's still my dad but we are buds," Jason explained. "But, he makes sure that being friends doesn't interfere with being a dad and knows that is what comes first."

No matter what the rank is, or how much authority someone has in their career, bringing families together at the end of the day is what matters. Jason plans to continue his education and follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a commissioned officer.