Altus Air Force Base News

 

Those who train together, stay together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Lineup check...Check complete. Husband. Check. Wife. Check. Spouse check complete. Prepare for takeoff.  When most people train in the Air Force it's something they can only tell family members about, but for two pilots in training at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., their spouse is a fellow student.

For the past four months U.S. Air Force 1st Lts. Emily and Jared Barkemeyer have been C-17 Globemaster III student pilots. Though they've only been married eight months, their history takes them back several years when they were cadets in the United States Air Force Academy.

For Emily, an avid track and field athlete growing up in Colorado, the Academy had been her goal since she was 14, after visiting for a track camp. "Once I discovered what the Academy was, that was the only place I was going to go to school," she said.

When talking with his father, a former U.S. Sailor, about wanting to fly, Jared learned about the Academy and, "I just fell into it," his junior year of high school in New Mexico.

Both Emily and Jared joined the USAFA track team and became quite successful. Jared was among the top hammer throwers, and Emily held an USAFA record for the 60-meter hurdles, running it in 9.53 seconds. This is where they met their junior year.

Graduating in 2012, both were able to have a special first assignment; coaching track and strength and conditioning for six months at the USAFA where they first met. From there they went to Vance AFB, for initial pilot training, and in the summer of 2014, they started training at Altus.

"We got really lucky," Emily said. "We prayed it would work and it did!"

Though Jared is slightly ahead of Emily in training, she's not got it much easier than others, they say. "He helps me when I have questions, but we try to leave work at work," said Emily.

Their competitive nature keeps them fighting for top bragging rights at home. Jared said, "We're both very proud when it comes to our jobs. We want to be the best and don't like being bettered by the other."

"We're best friends in every regard, except when it comes to studying," Emily laughed. "We try not to talk about flying at home."

Given they are going through the same training, there's going to be times that work comes up at home, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. "Since I'm ahead of her time wise, if needed I can help her," said Jared. "The best way for me to learn is to teach someone. It just re-enforces my learning."

"It's constantly a competition with us, but it makes me a better pilot," said Emily.

Not only does the competition keep them sharp academically, they are using the time together to their advantage. "Mentally it would be draining if we were separated," Emily said. "I think it makes us more productive pilots to have that comfort of not worrying about when we'll see each other."

Thanks to their situation they feel like their pilot training is being improved, as well as their marriage. "It has made our relationship stronger," said Emily. "We can relate to each other because we understand the stressors at work."

Even though their situation is arguably better than most, they haven't lost sight of the reason they serve. "She's the most important thing to me, but I just want to serve and help people the best I can," said Jared.

"I really like the idea of serving my country," Emily said. "I'm super excited to fly, and support the mission."

The Barkemeyer's excellent mix of humbleness, professionalism, duty to their country and each other, has jump-started their careers as U.S. Air Force pilots and their life together.