Fathers and Sons Prepare to Deploy Side by Side

Story by Cadet Cale Fulton, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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Pvt. Bruce Goebig (left), David Goebig (center) and Chief Warrant Officer (2) David Goebig (right) of Sterling, pose together during a family Christmas party Dec. 25.

ROCK FALLS, IL (12/29/2010)(readMedia)-- Business is a family affair at the Army National Guard's Field Maintenance Site 11 in Rock Falls. Staff Sgt. Terry Jones of Sterling works alongside his son, Sgt. Terry Jones II repairing and servicing vehicles.

"We kind of watch out for each other, but I think I'm harder on him than the rest of the Soldiers, because I expect more of him," said Staff Sgt. Jones.

The father and son are in the same Illinois Army National Guard unit, the 1644th Transportation Company based in Rock Falls. Sgt. Jones said his father being in the unit had a lot to do with his decision to join.

"The best part of it was my dad was already in the unit, so that was a plus," said Sgt. Jones, "He talked about it and I never really thought about going anywhere else."

The 1644th, nicknamed "Rolling Thunder," will deploy to Iraq in the summer of 2011. The unit will provide transportation support for incoming and outgoing units, as well as performing sustainment operations. The father and son have both been on deployments before, at separate times. This is the first time the "Jones boys" will deploy together.

The Jones family isn't the only family that will be sending more than one Soldier with the 1644th. Chief Warrant Officer (2) David Goebig of Sterling, works at the Field Maintenance Site and has been with the 1644th since 1998. His son, Pvt. Bruce Goebig, joined the unit about a year ago.

"I think it's kind of neat to stand in formation and hear his name called," said David.

With the deployment coming up before next Christmas, the families have put special emphasis on this year's holidays.

"The holidays are tough. With 24 years in the Guard, I've been to many places, but it's going to be tougher for my wife this time because my son is going," said David. "This (was) a very important Christmas for us."

The Jones boys also look to spend the months before their deployment with their loved ones.

"We're both married, so we're going to try to spend a lot of time with our wives, but we're planning to spend some time with the rest of our families too," said Staff Sgt. Jones.

The families have had the support of the unit's Family Readiness Group (FRG), during past deployments. This time will be no different, said 1st Lt. Michael Barton of Delavan. Barton is the commander of the 1644th and is responsible for the FRG.

"I don't know if deploying ever becomes easy, but the FRG definitely increases morale," said Barton.

The FRG is a group of parents, family members and veterans that meets monthly to provide support for deployed Soldiers and their families. Its tasks include keeping families informed about what the unit is doing, tracking family and Soldiers birthdays, and sending packages to the unit.

"We have a really good (FRG) here, I can't say enough about them," said Staff Sgt. Jones.

Sgt. Jones said he is looking forward to the deployment, "I love it, I love the way it makes you feel. There's no better feeling than to have all those people send you away and have them be there when you come back."

Barton said he has confidence that his unit will do well.

"Looking across our formation, we have a very solid unit. I have no doubt that we will go and accomplish our mission," said Barton.