Published: September 08, 2008
Father Reunites With Son in Baghdad
By Master Sgt. Brian Davidson, 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
There are many Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines throughout Iraq and Afghanistan who have family members that are also deployed in support of the war on terrorism.
Brothers and sisters, parents and their children and even husbands and wives often find themselves simultaneously assigned throughout the Central Command area of responsibility.
For many of these American service members, bringing freedom and security to people who have only known oppression and tyranny comes from a deep-seeded family tradition of service, sacrifice and honor.
Such is the case for one father serving in Iraq, who went to great lengths to reunite with his son who is also deployed to a nearby combat unit.
Tech. Sgt. Jeff Moyer is deployed to the 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing at Pittsburgh International Airport.
He is a KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief who is serving at Sather Air Base, just west of Baghdad International Airport, and is responsible for helping with flightline operations at one of the busiest air hubs in Iraq.
His son, Army Spc. Rafael Moyer, is an infantryman assigned to "A" Company, 2nd Battalion, at a small forward operating base that won't be found on any maps beyond those in the highest levels of command.
Specialist Moyer arrived in Iraq in March for the Army's standard 15-month tour, and his father arrived in May. Soon after arriving, he began formulating a plan to see his son.
"I had no idea where he was," Sergeant Moyer said. "But since a large part of air operations in and around Iraq pass through here, I figured I would be able to get a flight to visit Rafael; once I located him."
Sergeant Moyer talked with his flight commander, and his request was elevated to the squadron commander. In short order, approval for the visit came back, so he contacted the Army Liaison Officer at Sather AB to find out exactly where his son was. He was told that it was a place called Forward Operating Base Hammer.
Forward operating bases and combat outposts dot the Iraqi landscape around most major cities. These tiny bases of operation each have a specialized mission and support Iraqi ground forces in clearing neighborhoods of insurgent activities that threaten innocent people who just want to live their lives in peace.
"Because there are so many of these forward bases, and their exact locations are kept secret, it's often difficult to track down a specific unit, let alone one particular person," Sergeant Moyer explained.
Specialist Moyer's outpost is situated close to where his unit patrols in and around Baghdad, and access to and from the base, like all forward operating bases and outposts, is generally by helicopter or convoy. Sergeant Moyer found a flight, and headed out to surprise his son.
When he arrived and inquired about his son, he found out that he was not actually assigned to FOB Hammer, but was actually at a base called Combat Outpost Carver. "I really wanted my visit to be a surprise, so I didn't tell Rafael I was coming," Sergeant Moyer said. "But, I was the one who was surprised when I found I had gone to the wrong unit, so I had to find a flight back to Sather and start all over again."
A couple of weeks later, Sergeant Moyer was able to get a flight to his son's base, but this time he wasn't taking any chances. "I sent Rafael an e-mail and let him know when I was coming, and coordinated with his first sergeant to make sure I made it to the right place," he said. "This time, when I landed, Rafael was at the helicopter pad waiting for me."
Both father and son expected that the visit would last less than a day, but due to mission requirements they had nearly three days together before Sergeant Moyer could get a flight back to his unit. "The base was really small, and it didn't take long at all for Rafael to show me around," Sergeant Moyer said. "The Soldiers live in metal shipping containers they call a 'chu.' Their rooms are nothing more than a steel box with plywood on the end to make a doorway, but at least they have air conditioning."
Sergeant Moyer explained that there's really not much for the Soldiers to do when they aren't out on patrol, so he and his son just enjoyed the chance to 'hang out."
Specialist Moyer serves as a turret gunner when he patrols the streets of Baghdad with his fire team. It's a job that his father knows is dangerous, but one that has to be done. "I'm proud of the man Rafael has grown to become, and his dedication to being a Soldier who places the needs of others above himself," Sergeant Moyer said when he discussed his son's decision when he joined the Army three years ago. "He knows what he needs to do, and he goes and does it with honor."
Sergeant Moyer understands what it means to answer the call to service. With eight years active duty and nearly 17 years in the Air National Guard, he has deployed three times, and this is his second tour in Iraq.
After visiting with his son, Sergeant Moyer flew back to Sather Air Base, and continues to accomplish his mission of managing flightline operations for the countless aircraft that come and go every day. He's looking forward to seeing his son again as soon as possible, but next time along with his wife, Darlene, at their home in Grapeville, Pa.
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