An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 27, 2018

Pa. National Guard father and son become co-pilots

By Capt. Travis Mueller 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Serving alongside their child in the Army is a thought many Soldiers find inconceivable.

For Col. Howard Lloyd, commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, that dream is a reality.

He and his son, 1st Lt. Ian Lloyd, serve together as pilots in the 28th ECAB.

1st Lt. Lloyd is a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot with Alpha Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th ECAB. To him, Col. Lloyd is his father, mentor and brigade commander. Recently, however, he added "co-pilot" to that lineup.

On Oct. 9, 2018, the father-son duo had the opportunity to fly a Black Hawk together, pilot and co-pilot, on a training flight around central Pennsylvania.

"This was the first time that we had the opportunity to fly since he graduated from flight school as the Distinguished Honor Graduate in April," said Col. Lloyd. "Since he learned how to fly the UH-60M model down at Fort Rucker, he had to go through a readiness level progression into the UH-60A/L model here in Pennsylvania."

The Lloyds share many interests besides flying, most notably outdoor recreation activities and family time. What is particularly special for Col. Lloyd is that his son always wanted to be a police officer and fly helicopters, and accomplished both. In addition to being an Army aviator, 1st Lt. Lloyd is a Pennsylvania State Trooper.

"How many fathers get the opportunity to fly a military aircraft with their son, to experience the joy of doing something you love, like flying, with your son?" asks Col. Lloyd. "To experience flight school again but through your son's eyes and to plan, file and fly together is really a truly proud moment and indescribable."

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group prepare dummies for a simulated casualty evacuation at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 17, 2025. The 108th Medical Company engaged in a weeklong field medical exercise to validate their readiness and elevate their medical and basic Soldier skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)
Pennsylvania Guard Medics Simulate Chaos in Exercise
By Capt. Christopher Booker, | July 18, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group, are engaged in a comprehensive two-week field medical exercise here.The...

Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Maintenance Group and 152nd Logistics Readiness Squadron personnel load Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipment onto MAFFS #8, aircraft #554 at the Nevada Air National Guard Base on July 12, 2025. U.S. Northern Command activated two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) Aircraft, one from the 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno, Nevada, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in California. Two C-130 aircraft equipped with MAFFS and their associated personnel will support firefighting efforts in the Western United States. The 152nd Airlift Wing’s “High Rollers” and 146th Airlift Wing's “Hollywood Guard” report on July 14, 2025, and will be initially based out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Base in California and are anticipated to be in place through August 14, 2025.
Nevada Air Guard Wing Assists in Firefighting Efforts
By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber, | July 18, 2025
RENO, Nev. – U.S. Northern Command has activated two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Aircraft, one from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno, Nevada, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing out of...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, join Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, the adjutant general of Texas, for an aerial assessment of flood-affected areas in Central Texas and to visit Guardsmen on duty supporting civil authorities with response efforts, Kerrville, Texas, July 15, 2025. To date, National Guard search and rescue operations, led by the Texas National Guard, have resulted in the rescue of more than 525 Texans. Hundreds of Guardsmen remain on mission to continue working with interagency partners in search and rescue and recovery operations.
Nordhaus, Raines see Heroism, Partnerships in Central Texas
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, | July 18, 2025
KERRVILLE, Texas – Early on July 4, almost 30 inches of rain fell within hours across Central Texas’s Hill Country, surging the Guadalupe River and triggering catastrophic flash flooding.Within hours, Texas National Guard...