BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – While many siblings have deployed together over the course of this war on terrorism, there are not many that have deployed together on four separate occasions.
The Wilkerson twins, Eric and Jason, both 88Ms, or Heavy Equipment Operators, from Forward Support Company 365th Engineer Battalion have. Staff Sgts. Wilkerson have deployed together three separate times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.
The first time, from 2004 to 2005 was to Taji, Iraq (Camp Cook) as gun truck drivers, the second and third, (2008 to 2009 and 2010 to 2011) to Kuwait with missions in Iraq. This first time to Afghanistan (2013 to 2014), they are both based at Bagram Air Base. During their second tour, Eric drove Line Hauls in Heavy Equipment Convoys and Jason drove gun trucks. During the third deployment both were convoy commanders conducting line hauls.
They are originally from Paris, Missouri, a small town in the north east corner of the state.
When asked how it felt to deploy together so many times, Jason replied: “It doesn’t bother us. We’ve been in the military with the same group of Soldiers for many years. We’ve stayed together and learned many things together, so we like it.”
They have both been in the Army for 14 years and plan on staying in for at least 20 years. They are currently assigned as M916s drivers.
“You call, we haul,” said Eric.
Back in the states, Jason works in maintenance at the Missouri Department of Transportation and part time at a family quarry. He is also going to school for an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Maintenance from Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, MO. His hobbies include going to church, Ford Mustangs, trucks and running.
Eric has an internship at the 3M Factory in maintenance and is also taking night classes at MACC in Industrial Maintenance for his Associate’s Degree. His hobbies include building, Mustangs, and pickups.
Eric and Jason would like to give a shout out to their friends and family back home,
“Thank you for your support. It has been a great help to the both of us. We look forward to getting home and seeing everyone again.”
