Brotherly love in the skies above

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christopher Mesnard
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  For most Service members, the family ties that are formed by their common military bonds are forged in the depths of basic training or their respective commissioning sources. For Captains John McFarland, 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath and Michael McFarland, 351st Air Refueling Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, their bond runs deeper than that of the average Service member.

Born three years apart, the two brothers hail from a military family. Their father, an F-4 Phantom II pilot, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 2003. Growing up, the two enjoyed sports, but both shared a passion for the baseball diamond. Currently, they both pursue one of their other lifelong passions: flying for the Air Force.

Mike, the eldest, is a KC-135R Stratotanker pilot stationed at RAF Mildenhall. His younger brother is an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer at RAF Lakenheath.

The two recently had the opportunity to fly together for the first time as Mike dragged his brother's Strike Eagle formation west across the Atlantic Ocean towards the eastern coast of the United States. Though Mike only flew the first half of the journey with his brother's formation, the experience was a humbling one.

"The mission was no different in terms of preparation and the support we provided," explained the KC-135 aircraft commander. "It just happens to be an added bonus to see your brother on the outside of your wingtip."

The two are stationed only a few miles apart and, while their missions could not be further apart, linking up in the air has been a long time coming. Mike plays a key support role in the U.S. Air Force's fleet, extending the reach of virtually any properly equipped aircraft to global proportions. On the other side of the coin, the F-15E is a dual-role fighter that is capable of supporting a multitude of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems.

"This mission was a very good chance to see how the fighters fit into the Air Force's logistical plans," John said about the F-15E he helps operate. "And, like my brother said, it's really cool that we get to fly together up there."

They both agree that their parents are proud, not only of them individually but of the missions they accomplish flying for the Air Force. The brothers noted that their parents are excited that their sons are able keep in touch and support each other both in the air in and on the ground.

While brothers in the literal sense, the McFarlands truly epitomize the term "brothers in arms" that all Service members have come to embrace.