Altus Air Force Base News

 

Father and son: wingmen and friends

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (Jan. 12, 2015) --  
Enlisted and officer Airmen alike are taught the Air Force Core Values during their basic training. They learn to work as a team as they progress and often their peers become like family.

For U.S. Air Force Capt. Chris Cherry, one of his most influential wingmen is family; his father retired Chief Master Sgt. Phil Cherry.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Phil Cherry spent 29 years in the Air Force and had many roles. He started out as a construction equipment operator, moved on to working at the Defense Intelligence Agency, and was command chief of three bases.

Among the many responsibilities at work, he and his wife were also busy raising their son. "It was tough because I was gone a lot," he said.

"When I was younger I really latched on to my mom," said Chris. "Because he was out saving the world as I remember it."

Despite the time away from each other and an ever-changing life while moving to different bases, Chris said his father had always been a positive influence in his life even though he didn't realize it. "I was somewhat oblivious until college. A lot of the things he taught me as a kid I absorbed subconsciously."

It was during his junior year of college that Chris decided to join the Air Force, he said. "I started thinking about my dad's career and thought, 'Wow, he's pretty accomplished and done some great things. That made me curious to follow in his footsteps.'"

"I never put any pressure on him to join," said Phil. "But, in my head I was doing a happy dance."

With the advice from his father to finish school and join as an officer, Chris credits his father with instilling many positive attributes that would help him in his career and his personal life.

"I believe in the Air Force Core Values and stand by them," said Phil. "They helped me in active duty, in my job now and are a good foundation to build on."

"If there's one thing I had to narrow it down to being most valuable on a professional level that I've learned from him, it would be his good work ethic," said Chris. "There's always my mom and dad's voices in my head that keep me focused on those core values they taught me."

On his personal and family level, Chris said one of the most valuable lessons his dad taught him is balance and teamwork.

"I had to learn how to balance what the Air Force demanded of me and what my family demanded of me," said Phil. "I'm very fortunate to have my wife. She understood the nature of the military life. I think the three of us worked well as a team."

As his career progressed, while deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, Chris was able to see some of the impact his father left, where he served as the bases' former command chief. One impact he had was having the Bob Williams Park named after an individual who donated many goods to the base.

Phil's influence on his son didn't stop there. "At his retirement ceremony there were generals and colonels and seeing the long list of achievements from my dad's career, I thought 'Wow! I have some big shoes to fill,'" said Chris. "And if I'm half as successful in the Air Force as he was, I will be happy."

In Phil's' view, Chris has a bright future. "In him I see solid work ethic, honesty, respect, and commitment," Phil said. All these traits are what Phil said he hoped to pass on to his son.

Likewise, Chris hopes to pass these attributes on and to continue to put them to use as an American Airman, a husband, son, and father.