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Brothers in arms

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Randy L. Mitchell
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq --  Some brothers live near each other, some take vacations together and some enjoy grand adventures with one another. But seldom do two deploy in order to see more of one another.

Travis and Terence Mimms did. Identical twins, born only eight minutes apart, they found themselves deployed here to the same location.

Strange enough in itself, but it gets better when you realize they are in different career fields and stationed at separate bases.

“We actually see more of each other now than we did before deploying,” said Airman 1st Class Travis Mimms, 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and eldest of the two.

“We can chill together here just about everyday,” said Airman 1st Class Terence Mimms, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. “Back at our home stations it’s a little different because of the distance and our work schedules.”

The distance ‘back home’ isn’t much, since Travis is assigned to Hurlburt Field and Terence is at Eglin Air Force Base, both in the Florida panhandle about 10 miles apart. But work and living the ‘single life’ can sometimes find the two going weeks without seeing each another.

The Clarksville, Tennessee natives are devoted Airmen making a positive impact within their work areas here too.

“Travis is always willing to learn new tasks and has a ‘can do’ attitude,” said Senior Master Sgt. William Manley, chief of supply. “Travis excelled in his duties in the armory, but has also done a great job working in the receiving section processing incoming supplies. He is truly a team player and dedicated Airman.”

They see each other daily and enjoy their off-duty time together working out in the gym, playing sports or just ‘chilling out’ watching a movie.

They both joined the Air Force for the educational benefits and to travel, but neither expected they would travel to Iraq during the same rotation. Their mom, Tanya, who still lives in Clarkesville certainly wasn’t pleased when she first found out.

Terence, who splits his time between working entry control points and patrols to keep the base safe and secure, was the first to find out he was deploying and to tell his mother.

“Originally, I was the only one deploying and I was supposed to be going to Balad,” said Terence. “So later when Travis told her he was going to Baghdad she really got heated.”

In fact, Travis was the first to deploy and didn’t know his brother’s deployment had been changed to Baghdad.

“I was the first one here,” said Travis, “and when I was walking to the gym I saw a figure walking my way and I thought ‘this person looks like me and walks the same as I do,’ so when he got closer I thought ‘that is me’…my twin!

“We just smiled and hugged each other,” Travis added. “Terence told me he went to the recreation tent, where someone began talking to him thinking he was me. It took several minutes before the person believed he was my twin brother, and finally told Terence that I usually go to the gym around 7:30 p.m.

“That made my mother more comfortable,” said Travis. “Knowing we were together, she just told us to watch out for each other.”

The two are enjoying their time together here for more reasons than one.

“Its good being here together,” said Terence, “at least I have someone I can relate to.”

“Its kind of funny seeing each other,” added Travis, “especially when people get us confused.”

That happens often here, but there is a way to tell them apart. In his duty uniform, Terence wears a security forces patch; and in his physical training uniform Terence has tattoos on each arm -- initials on his right forearm and a black panther on his left.

Even though the two enjoy each others company, they are still mindful of their mission here.

“It’s a blessing to defend my country alongside my brother here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to be a part of history,” said Terence. “This is something that will never be forgotten.”

Although Travis arrived here first, he will depart before Terence who is deployed for six months due to his career field. Though their desert vacation will end at separate times; they know the time they’ve shared here will be a memory each will cherish -- by being blessed to share this holiday season and deployment with one another.

Travis may enjoy hitting the beach at sunset when he returns home first, but knows his thoughts will return to the sand where his brother is still serving.