SOUTHWEST ASIA, - If you walk into one of the fitness buildings for the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron at a non-disclosed base here and yell, "Sgt. Ramos," you'll probably get more than one person answering.
First along might be Master Sgt. Greg Ramos, a career services Airman who is the fitness center superintendent. Or Staff Sgt. Gavin Ramos, Greg's younger brother by seven years, might come to help.
Either way, the Ramos brothers are fairly well known around the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing as the "Hawaiian brothers at the fitness center." They have a "can-do" spirit, Greg says, partly because of their culture but also because they are two brothers who get along splendidly.
"It's nice to have someone who you know so well to work with," Greg said. "Gavin is a hard worker and we know each other's capabilities so we can often get a lot of work done quickly. Plus, to be deployed with my brother, is especially an honor."
Gavin, a services journeyman, added, "We have a great relationship. I used to be in security forces until just over a year ago when I cross-trained over to the services career field. Since then, we've been working together fairly consistently -- including on this deployment."
Both Ramoses are deployed from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Force Support Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. For both, their hometown is Kapolei, Hawaii. They deployed as a part of nine-person Hawaii Guard contingent to work in the 380th EFSS at this non-disclosed base supporting whatever they were called on to do. The majority of their deployment, though, has been managing fitness center operations.
"The fitness center buildings are open 24 hours a day," Greg said. "Besides Gavin and I, we have other force support Airmen help us keep the fitness operations going all the time. Being fit to fight is important and it's good for us to do all we can to keep this place ready for our customers."
Greg has been in the Air National Guard for more than 15 years while Gavin has been in for eight years. As the oldest sibling in his family, Greg said he has always believed he's had an obligation to his younger siblings to "pave a path and set the example."
"When I was young and joined the Guard, there were a lot of circumstances going on and joining the Guard helped me to get on a path of success," Greg said. "The last 15 years support the Air Force and the Air National Guard has been good for me and my family."
Greg's service in the Guard was also an influence for Gavin to join. "He played big brother and helped me along the same road," Gavin said. "He's always been a great mentor."
In managing services operations, services Airmen help improve work methods and procedures to ensure economic operation and customer satisfaction. They also resolve complaints, apply accounting principles to control resources, determine appropriated and non-appropriated fund budget requirements, and requisitions and accounts for subsistence, supplies and equipment needed to support services programs - to name a few.
"We like what we do in services because we are helping people and contributing to improving their morale in so many ways - especially with our fitness programs," Greg said.
"I'm here to help ensure that deployed service members have an optimum facility to assist members in achieving their fitness goals," Gavin said. "It's just one of the many things we do in services that are critical to the well-being of our Airmen."
Both brothers will soon return to Hawaii from their deployment and according to Greg, the Ramos family footprint in the Hawaii Air National Guard may continue to grow.
"We've been trying to get another brother to join the Guard and we have a nephew who recently graduated from high school who we think would do well in the Guard," Greg said. "In our family, it started with me but I think more of us will go the way of the Air National Guard."
For Gavin, he said he is content to continue working with his brother in any part of the world.
"Whether we are here or at home, I am proud to serve with my brother Greg," Gavin said. "He's a great man, he leads the way, and makes me proud to call him my brother."