BANGOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maine – The Maine Air National Guard was established in 1947, prior to the birth of the Air Force. Since then the wing finds itself deep-rooted in tradition and family connections.
From the first set of brothers that joined in 1947, the younger of which lied about his age as to not be apart from his sibling. There have been generations of family members along with multiple sets of siblings here at the 101st Air Refueling Wing.
Siblings joining the military together is not uncommon. Families such as the Sullivan brothers, five siblings who enlisted in 1942. Unfortunately these siblings all lost their lives in the sinking of the USS Juneau in that same year. They are an example of a recurring theme in many highlighted articles about family bonds. For twins these bonds seem to be even closer.
For example, Senior Master Sgt. Anntina Michaud and Master Sgt. Angela Adams, fraternal twins, have served in the Maine ANG for over 30 years. Like them, Staff Sgts. Erica Blanchette and Alyssa Nelson, identical twins, serve here as well.
Blanchette, a material handler with the 101st Logistics Squadron, swore in June 22, 2012. Eight months later, Nelson, an air transportation specialist with the 101st Logistics Readiness Squadron, swore in March 5, 2013.
Similar to other military siblings, they wanted to swear in together but unfortunately could not. Nelson underwent surgery to have her gallbladder removed, taking eight months to recover before being able to swear in.
Blanchette said she was nervous to join without her sister – they do everything together. But she didn’t want to wait and she joined first.
The sisters were separated for the first time, when Blanchette left for Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. They have always been attached by the hip, even being roommates in college their freshman year.
“When we both joined the Guard, we knew it was going to happen.” said Nelson as she described their separation.
In 2014, Nelson left for her first temporary duty (TDY) in Alaska, and though it was only for a few weeks, it once more challenged their close-knit bond.
“Her first TDY, I was texting and messaging her nonstop,” said Blanchette. “It was scary at first but now I’m used to it.”
Then it was Blanchette’s turn. Her first TDY brought her to Guam in 2015 for 30 days.
“Part of my job is to deploy people, so I was actually the one that brought her out to the plane,” said Nelson. “She was the last one on. It was bittersweet. I looked at her then walked away. But it was comforting to know that she was in a safe place.”
Their parting made their relationship stronger and proved that they could be strong for each other.
“The Air Force prepared us for life because we’re not always going to have each other,” said Nelson. “When you have a sibling, you have this connection with them, but when you have a twin it’s totally different. It’s like you always have this forever-person.”
Their connection to each other is also noticeable to others here at the 101st. Senior Master Sgt. Grady Thurlow, the small air terminal superintendent for the 101st ARW and Nelson’s supervisor, witnesses the twin’s relationship first-hand on base.
“If you know Alyssa, you know Erica,” said Thurlow. “They are pretty tight. Whenever they are on duty, they stop by and see each other. It’s like a twin umbilical cord. They are very close.”
Their unity is evident even to a stranger. They were interviewed separately but when asked what advice they would give to Airmen, they both had identical answers.
“Put yourself out there,” said Blanchette and Nelson. “Go out and let people get to know who you are. Let senior leadership know what you want to accomplish, and they will try to make it happen for you.”
Whereas their story may not be unique, their bond is as strong as the legacy of siblings that helped establish the 101st ARW.