More than a wingman

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Daniel Phelps
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Staff Sgts. Hank and Aaron Moon enjoy a quiet moment together in the heritage room of the 9th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California.

The Moon brothers share the same last name, rank and are assigned to the same base - a rarity for military family members. While the duo has much in common, they also have differences that make them unique.

Hank has the appearance of an elite soccer player, complete with the perfectly coiffed hair, while Aaron carries the rough and trustworthy look of a man who could likely tell you exactly why your car makes that strange hum in idle.

“We have never really been competitive with each other,” said Hank. “We played soccer together when we were younger, but we always had different interests.”

Aaron, the older brother by two years, was more interested in cars than sports, and that interest carried on to his current career in the Air Force as an engine specialist for the KC-10 Extender in the 9th ARS.

“My baby growing up was a ‘95 Volkswagen,” he explained.

Hank was more interested in soccer, basketball and football, he said.

Growing up in Hurley, Wisconsin, a town of 1,524 people according to the 2013 census, helped give the Moons a close-knit family.

As kids, their dad, an Army veteran, entertained the kids with stories of his time in the military. This, coupled with several other family members having served in the armed forces, instilled a desire for the brothers to serve.

“I never really had the desire to go off to college,” Aaron said. “(Military service) was my natural choice. My dad always made it seem like it was a fun time.”

Aaron joined the Air Force in 2008 and Hank followed in 2011.

Aaron found himself at Travis after graduating from KC-10 crew chief technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Hank joined the Air Force to become a boom operator, which led to the brothers hoping that one day, they would be stationed together.

“For me, to be able to get my first choice of base – Travis – I had to graduate tech school as the distinguished graduate,” Hank said. “Aaron really encouraged me and helped me to push myself to be at the top of my class.”

Hank said having his older brother around had some benefits once he arrived at Travis.

As a new Airman getting settled at his first base, having his brother Aaron here was one of the impactful moments in his life, Hank said.

“Being able to come to a new location and having my brother ready to take me in was incredibly helpful,” said Hank. “Not to mention all the rides he gave me and (all the) help (he gave) me with buying my first car.”

The brothers have been stationed together for the past five years, but don’t see often due to their different schedules.

Though they may only occasionally see one another in passing while at work, they often make time to hang out and play a round of golf.