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."