Father-Son Duo Launch Fighter Jets

Father-son duo launch fighter jets, share history

Senior Airman James Downing Jr. explains to his father, Command Chief Master Sgt. James Downing Sr., the
changes that have taken place in launching F-15 fighter jets since he last served as a crew chief more than two
years ago in the 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard. The father/son team launched a jet
together , soon after the younger Downing returned from Fighter Aircraft Maintenance training at
Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Photo: Master Sgt. Dan Farrell, 159th Fighter Wing Multi Media Manager

By Staff Sgt. Kristi Moon
159th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Specialist
The Louisiana Air National Guard is rich in tradition; and father and son, Command Chief Master Sgt. James Downing Sr. and Senior Airman James Downing Jr. share their family traditions with the 159th Fighter Wing’s Bayou Militia.
The duo recently celebrated a milestone few other father and son teams could ever dream of, launching an F-15 fighter jet together.

“It was a pretty cool experience that not too many people get to do,” the younger Downing said. He returned from Fighter Aircraft Maintenance training in April and has been in the Guard for a little more than a year.

The elder Downing, now in charge of the Wing’s overall morale and well-being as the command chief, joined his crew chief son on the flight line June 6 to send off one of the unit’s jets for a training fl ight.

“It was a blast,” Downing Sr. said of working with his son. “It was definitely the highlight of my career.”

It had been more than two years since Downing Sr. had launched a jet in his former role as crew chief. “I was a little rusty, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I had to bring my dad up to date on some new parts,” Downing Jr. said. Some things had changed since his dad launched planes on a regular basis.

However, for someone with as much experience launching as Downing Sr., the basics can never be forgotten. Downing Sr. crewed jets for 17 years, worked in quality assurance, and served as the maintenance superintendent over several sections including weapons, crew chiefs, avionics, alert and C-130s.
The elder Downing is understandably proud of his four children, all of whom his wife, Kim, homeschooled, including Melissa, 20; James Jr., 18; Stephanie, 16; and Jonathan, 14.

“My goal is to be here when both of my sons are in the unit,” Downing Sr. said. By the time the youngest son joins the 159th Fighter Wing, Downing Jr. will be close to graduating from college and entering the active duty Air Force, with plans to fly fighter jets.

Before he goes, he hopes to repeat this launch experience with his dad and younger brother, too.
Going back even further, their father and grandfather, Senior Master Sgt. John Downing, retired in 1994 with 20 years of service with the 159th Weather Flight, beginning the Downing family tradition with the Bayou Militia.

Wild Thing’s comment………
We are a blessed country to have such awesome Americans. Our Veterans and our troops now are all special to all of us. Thank you all and God bless you.