Three generations serve as Okies

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jon Quinlan
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Families often play a significant role in the decision for anyone joining the military, but for one family, being an Okie and serving in the Air Force Reserve is a way of life. 

Three generations of Humphreys served in the 507th Air Refueling Wing throughout the years and while the unit name has changed in those years, the dedication from this family has stayed on course. 

It all started with retired Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Humphrey who served over 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army with 14 months in Vietnam and three years in Germany.  After a short stint in the Army National Guard, he decided to join the 507th in February 1982. His love for aviation started early but it developed while working in Army Airfield Flight Operations at the Norman Westheimer Airport before becoming an "Okie".

"I started with 465th Tactical Fighter Squadron as an Air Reserve Technician working alongside David Hobbs in Flight Operations working at the Ops Counter." Stephen Humphrey said. "Back then we were flying the F-4 Phantom." 

He later transitioned to the 507th Fighter Group Command Post and was still serving when his son, Ken Humphrey joined the unit in 1993.

"I came to a wing family day with my dad while I was a senior at Oklahoma State University and it turned into an impromptu pilot interview with the 465th TFS commander," Lt. Col. Ken Humphrey said. "I remember one of his questions being 'Have you read, Sun Tzu's Art of War?'" 

Lt. Col. Humphrey said he was fortunate to have a father in the unit who knew who he needed to talk with about a pilot position. After the interview he was third in line for Undergraduate Pilot Training but the squadron was only sending one Airman a year.

"I wanted to join the unit as soon as I could so I looked into other enlisted opportunities," Humphrey said.

Ken realized that joining the unit by enlisting would help get his foot in the door and solidify his chances of becoming a pilot.  He was right.  The unit converted from F-16's to KC-135's after he returned from his enlisted technical training for aviation resource management.  Now the unit was sending three pilots a year to UPT.  He got the opportunity much earlier than he expected. He received his direct commission in 1994 on the front lawn of the group headquarters building in front of the flag. 

Despite being trained in the same Air Force Specialty Code, neither father or son worked in the same shop, although they shared the same job title for a while. 

"So I've heard it a thousand times, 'How's your dad?' My son will get to experience the same questions someday," Lt. Col. Humphrey said.

Enter, Kennedy Humphrey, the third generation to serve as an "Okie" in the 507th ARW. Kennedy enlisted in November 2014 to pay for college. He is currently serving in the 507th ARW Development and Training Flight in preparation for basic training. He will work in the 507th Medical Squadron after technical training as an Aerospace Medical Technician. 

"I didn't make the decision originally because of my family or to carry on a legacy. I made the decision to contribute," Kennedy Humphrey said. "I grew up around everyone in the unit."

Kennedy is very active in sports and knows that will help when he leaves for basic this summer.
 
"Serving in the military is an honor and something I have always expressed a pride in accomplishing," Lt. Col. Humphrey said. "My son, along with my family, attended countless family days, airshows, and squadron events. They have also dealt with my deployments and time away from home on holidays and birthdays. The people of this unit have been an extended family to me and I look forward to hearing my son's stories long after I've left."  

Stephen Humphrey, the first generation Okie, holds a civilian commercial pilots license so aviation is in the blood and he is happy the legacy is continuing.
  
"I'm very proud of both of them and can't tell you in words how much I enjoyed my times in the Air Force Reserves. It was a very rewarding career for me and I know it will be for Kenneth and Kennedy," he said.