First 53rd wing civilian tapped to deploy

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE, Fla. --  Charles "Doc" Merkel always knew he could deploy as a historian, but now it has become a reality and he'll be the first civilian to deploy from the 53rd Wing.

He will deploy to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in September to fill in as historian for the 451st Expeditionary Wing for about five months.

"The thing I'm grateful for is the opportunity to serve," said Dr. Merkel. "I don't consider myself special because I'm a civilian deploying. The 53rd Wing currently has 50 to 70 people deployed, and I'm just one of them. I fully anticipated being deployed and was to complete everything with my team during combat skills training."

Besides being the first civilian in the 53rd WG, he is also known for tracking significant events, tracking the annual history, handling changes to unit emblems and interviewing previous unit members as part of his research.

Although the job description has its challenges because the wing's units are scattered throughout 19 locations, Dr. Merkel said his passion is history.

"I have lot of history ahead of me when I arrive in theater, but I'm not too worried about the work," he said. "I will be 'playing catch-up' due to the short notice departure of the previous historian. I'll be in charge of chronicling the events of a wing that just stood up at Kandahar."

As a retired Army major with 20 years of military service, the historian knows what to expect as a member of a military unit deployed overseas. 

"I'm no stranger to deployed locations," said Dr. Merkel, who piloted the UH-1H helicopter as a member of Casper Platoon, 173nd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.

Wing leadership recognizes the value and wisdom of the veteran and knows this will translate onto the deployment field.

"It is an awesome opportunity for us to our Vietnam veteran historian deploying as a member of the Air Force 30-plus years after his last combat deployment," said Col. Mick Guthals, 53d Wing vice commander. "He'll do a great job and again serve his country honorably in a time of war. He's probably doing better than some of the youngsters in the combat deployment training. And he's more excited about going too."

The historian also served as an Army test pilot and even had some time in the Air Force T-38. He reflected on memories of his military time during his recent training.

"I remember taking that (M-16) apart and making Swiss cheese out of that target during M-9 training," Dr. Merkel said. "I'm not 20 anymore and a little annoyed with that. However, the deployment training breathes new life into a person."

In addition to CST, he had to get the full battery of medical shots and training just like the rest of the active duty. He even has ABUs so he will fit into the deployed environment.

When it comes to deployments, families often experience as much stress as the member deploying. Dr. Merkel said his wife, while worried, is very supportive of him deploying, but his children are in denial about their father deploying this late in his career.

"I'm really appreciative of the 53rd Wing's support to deployed personnel," said the historian. "They will make sure my wife has everything she needs while I am deployed. I'm grateful for the wing, Air Force and unit for supporting my family while I'm gone."