Found: one long-lost father

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth Air Force Base recently hosted the production team from "The Locator," a reality show which helps reunite people who have been separated.

The reunion at Ellsworth took place between Airman 1st Class Aaron Loudenburg, 28th Communications Squadron ground radio technician, and his long-lost father, Derek Johnson, a resident of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Airman Loudenburg had been searching for his father since he was 12 years old, after he gathered enough courage to talk with his mother about him.

"My mom and I did all the research ourselves," he said. "She would help me with all the stories she could remember about my father, and I would look up information on the internet."

Airman Loudenburg said he contacted "The Locator" with his request to locate his biological father. The show responded and contacted Mr. Johnson about arranging a meeting with his son.

"'The Locator' contacted me and asked me who I was," Mr. Johnson said. "At the time, they didn't tell me who was looking for me, but I assumed it was my son."

After Mr. Johnson was confirmed as Airman Loudenburg's father, a meeting between the two was set up by the "The Locator." Mr. Johnson was brought to Ellsworth, where he surprised his son during an interview with the host of the show.

"I was shocked, excited and nervous all at the same time," said Airman Loudenburg. "It felt like a dream -- to be honest."

Airman Loudenburg said he was excited at the chance to sit down with his father and have a long talk.

"I've wanted to meet my son for a long time," Mr. Johnson said. "Emotionally, this has been one of the greatest moments of my life."

Mr. Johnson said he is proud to finally learn who his son is and what he's doing with life.

After the lights and cameras were packed up and the TV crew left, Mr. Johnson and Airman Loudenburg said they were finally able to have that long talk and take the first steps toward forging a lasting relationship.