Five fathers, five sons, one deployment: Guard Group keeps it in the Family

By: Ann Keyes
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - When an advance team of Missouri Army National Guard Soldiers deploys to the Middle East the last week of January, all will leave family behind.

For three men, though, the deployment will mark a reunion when they are joined by their sons on a mission that also includes two other father/son sets.

The Soldiers serve with the 1107th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group. Primarily a unit of rotary-wing helicopter mechanics and other aviation maintenance personnel, the unit's commander, Col. William Thomas, attributes the unit family ties to inherent talent, among other things.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Thomas said. "When you have the same mechanical aptitude that your father has, if you gravitate toward fixing things and he helps mentor you, it makes sense. And that doesn't even take into consideration the patriotic piece of being in the service."

That's an accurate accounting for Sgt. Damian Payne, of Springfield, who is deploying with his father, Sgt. 1st Class Richard Payne.

"I wanted to fix helicopters from a pretty young age," said Damian. "I wanted to join the Guard and do what Dad did. I thought it looked interesting, and he encouraged it."

Marcia Stumpff, mother of Spc. Zach Stumpff and wife of 26 years to Master Sgt. Greg Stumpff, said the same is true in her family.

"Zach's always been emulating his Dad," Marcia said.

All the duos agree that deploying together is a bonus.

"I'd rather he deploy with us," said Sgt. 1st Class Elva Combs of his son, Spc. Tyler Combs, of Bradleyville. "I know he'll be treated well. The Guard's like a family."

Another member of the Combas family, Master Sgt. Shelva Combs, Elva's twin brother, will also deploy with the unit.

Helicopter maintenance comes second nature to the majority of the unit, as much of the group works fulltime at the Guard's Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot in Springfield. Dozens have fine-tuned their helicopter maintenance skills for many years, making Soldiers experts at everything from welding to electrical circuitry.

Once on the ground, Soldiers will work on repairing disabled Black Hawks and other helicopters, getting them back in the air safely and quickly so they can ferry the necessary manpower and supplies to Soldiers on the ground. Some missions will require near-site or on-site repair of aircraft, leaving some sons and fathers separated, but still closer than those back home.

"The biggest concern I have with my son going is the pressure on my wife," said Chief Warrant Officer Richard Lawrence, of Pfc. Chad Lawrence's mother, Robin. "The reality of this is it's easier for the Soldier, because we are busy, and we have 158 friends with us, and Chad has me as well. The hard part is for the family."

Other Soldiers expressed similar concern, but Marcia Stumpff, principal of Mountain Grove High School, said she'll be fine. Her folks live on the extended family's farm; her husband has previously deployed twice; and she said she relies on work and faith.

"Anytime a family member deploys you worry about their safety. I still have 'Mom' worries, but I have complete confidence Zach can do this," said Marcia. "And he'll be around experienced people. Even if he isn't with his Dad, they'll be able to communicate back and forth easily. I've always been pleased Zach selected the direction his Dad did."

"I'm proud to be deploying with my son," said Chief Warrant Officer John Fisher of his son, Sgt. Shane Fisher, of Walnut Grove. "I think it's great we have that kind of following, that the families are coming into the Guard. It speaks well for the unit."

It speaks well for the mission, too, said Thomas.

"I definitely think it's an asset. They're seasoned mechanics," Thomas said. "It also gives Soldiers another avenue to pursue if they need assistance with their jobs. They can say, 'Hey, Dad, here's what's going on,' and he's talking to his mentor, his father."

Richard Lawrence, who's son is near a dead-ringer for his dad, is just plain proud of Chad's service.

"This is a decision Chad has committed himself to. And I believe this deployment will be good for him in many aspects. The fact that his father will be there is really irrelevant to him and his job. I think the most important thing for him is this is a moment he'll be able to look back on and be proud of."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.