Three sisters serve together as Gunfighters

  • Published
  • By By 1st Lt. Erin Tindell
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho --  For many young Airmen, a first assignment introduces them to their new military family. For three Airmen at Mountain Home Air Force base, Idaho, their first assignment also includes serving with two sisters.

Airmen 1st Class Cecille, Juliery and Rhelita Du are three sisters stationed at Mountain Home. Cecille and Rhelita are assigned to the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Juliery is with the 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. After going through basic military training together - in the same flight - the trio begin their military careers with each other's support.

Having family support isn't anything new to the Airmen. Growing up in the Philippines with their parents and three other sisters allowed them to become a closely-knit unit. When their uncle joined the U.S. military and told the girls about the great benefits, the sisters, along with a fourth sister currently stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., decided to join the military together.

The sisters knew the military offered education opportunities, and they wanted to continue working towards their college degrees, said Rhelita, who is pursuing a degree in engineering. She's also the "mom" of the three because she's the oldest.

Cecille wants to study accounting and Juliery plans to pursue a medical degree. But the education is only one reason the sisters chose to enlist in the Air Force.

"We also wanted to join the military because most people will recognize you as doing your part to serve a great country like the United States," said Juliery. "People realize the sacrifice you're making."

The sisters know too well what sacrifice means when it comes to serving in the military. Their cousin, Army Staff Sgt. Nino Livaudais, died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

"He's our model because he died for his country, and we want to continue the service he started," said Cecille.

The sisters are realizing their dream of honoring their cousin through service in Idaho. They're also getting used to the culture shock of moving from the tropical climate of the Philippines to the high-desert climate of the northwest.

"Another challenge for us was getting used to being surrounded by people who speak English," said Juliery. "We had already known the language growing up, but at first it seemed like everyone was talking so fast."

Outside of work, the three enjoy hanging out together on the weekends to watch movies and go to church. They also hop in the car they share to explore the Idaho wilderness when they get a chance.

"We make sure to take a lot of pictures to send back home to our family," said Juliery.

The sisters said their family back in the Philippines was very supportive of their decisions to enlist in the Air Force. Their parents were by their sides to watch them state their enlistment oaths and attended their basic military training graduation to watch them march across the parade field.

"Our parents have always told us that we can make it in whatever we put our minds to," said Juliery. "They've always told us to aim high, and that's what we're doing."