Flying family performs mission together

  • Published
  • By Airman Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 23rd Bomb Squadron here performed a standard training sortie Tuesday, which ordinarily would just be another day in the air. However, for this sortie, everyone and their brother, sister or wife showed up - literally.

"Everyone" in this case happened to be brothers, Capts. Jeremy and Josh Holmes, and Jeremy's wife, Capt. Telisha McClure, all from the 23rd Bomb Squadron; and 1st Lt. Jordan Appel, 911th Air Refueling Squadron, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., sister of Jeremy and Josh Holmes.

This "flying family" took part in a training mission between the bases at Minot and Grand Forks.

The mission included two B-52s from Minot and a KC-135 Stratotanker from Grand Forks , night aerial refueling, simulated missiles and gravity bombing. Capts. Josh Holmes and McClure flew on one of the B-52s, while Capt. Jeremy Holmes piloted another, and Lieutenant Appel piloted the KC-135 that refueled her brothers and sister-in-law.

"There was a time while refueling over Afghanistan where the tanker refueling me just happened to be my sister's tanker," said Capt. Jeremy Holmes. "However, this is the first time we 'all' have been part of the same mission. So, in a way, it was a family reunion for us."

"It's very surreal refueling family members," said Lieutenant Appel. "On the ground, we don't really think too much of it. When we are in the air together for this flight though, I think it will hit all of us how unique and special it is."

According to Capt. Jeremy Holmes, this rich flying tradition began as early as World War II.

"My grandfather served during World War II," said Capt. Jeremy Holmes. "I think he was the one who started it all. Also, my dad was a KC-135 boom operator and is a Vietnam veteran. So, I grew up liking airplanes and now I'm doing what I've always dreamed of doing. Then I met Telisha while in training at Barksdale Air Force Base, La."

Captain McClure shares her husband's love of flying and zeal for the Air Force.

"This is great and the career opportunities are outstanding," she said. "Eventually, I want to work for NASA, and I'm hoping that this will build some of the experience needed as well as open other doors in the future."

According to Capt. Josh Holmes, his decision to join was based largely on his brother's example.

"Before I joined the Air Force, I visited [Jeremy] and was impressed with the way the Air Force had treated him and the life he was able to live," said Capt. Josh Holmes. "I thought the Air Force provided unique and enjoyable experiences."

The family tradition was extended as Lieutenant Appel followed in her brothers' footsteps.

"I was in Air Force ROTC [program] and visited my brother Josh while he was at navigational school in San Antonio and that's when it came to me that I had to fly," she said.

After returning from the mission, the flying family had positive things to say about their midair reunion.

"The mission went great," said Capt. Jeremy Holmes. "It's awesome having the privilege to be able to fly. It's even better being able to share it and fly with my family."

"It was a very proud moment to bring all family members together at one point in the sky doing what they've always dreamed of or were inspired to do," said Captain McClure.

"Training with family members in the same squadron is unique, but to go one step further in bringing another family member from a different airframe, joining the tanker/bomber mission is extraordinary. It truly is an 'Air Force family.'"

Lt. Col. Bruce Way, 5th Operations Group commander, shared his thoughts about this family.

"We are proud of the McClure-Holmes family," said Colonel Way. "This family obviously has a lot invested in the Air Force. It shows how American families are be a part of the Air Force family and support the Air Force mission."

With well over 4,000 combined hours in the air, this "flying family" looks to build on its legacy and to continue to support the Air Force mission. After all, it's all in the family.