Father’s Day tribute: Capt. Brock Harrell says his father Chief Master Sgt. Mark Harrell “was a huge inspiration in my decision to join the Air Force”

Capt. Brock Harrell, an 859th Special Operations Squadron pilot, is following in the footsteps of his father, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Harrell, an aircraft maintenance superintendent with the 919th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Some family traditions are stronger than others, but for two Citizen Air Commandos assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing, serving their country has been a tradition for decades.

Capt. Brock Harrell, an 859th Special Operations Squadron pilot, has always admired his father, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Harrell, a 919th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance superintendent, for his dedication and sacrifice. Father’s Day allows him to show his appreciation for his father’s influence in his life.

“My father was a huge inspiration in my decision to join the Air Force,” Brock said. “I think it all started when we watched crop-dusters buzz over the fields and watched air shows together.”

Brock enrolled in college after graduating from high school and opted to join the 919th SOW shortly after. He started his military career as a loadmaster for the 5th Special Operations Squadron. His grandfather and father also served in the Air Force, and now it was his turn.

“I always thought it was a good idea for him,” Mark said. “He actually started at the bottom until he got familiar with the Air Force and worked his way up.”

Brock enrolled in Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama in 2016 to obtain his commission and pursue his dream of flying. Brock toasted his new route with his father and grandfather at the end of the tough nine-week training.

“I was surrounded by Air Force members from an early age and made a conscious effort to talk to Airmen who inspired me,” Brock said. “I always knew I wanted to be a pilot, but just took a longer route to get there.”

Now, his focus is on balancing the demands of flying for the Air Force with work and his commitments at home.

“My family is very supportive of my military career,” Brock said. “They don’t like it when my father or I go away, but they understand the sacrifices we have to make when we serve.”
Before and during deployments, his family has used programs like the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and Military One Source to help them retain their resiliency.

Brock helps his father Mark maintain a farm in Alabama in outside of his regular Air Force duties. His father manages a 100-acre farm with 33 cows. They both assist in mowing and caring for the animals.

“It’s my full-time job outside of what I do for the Reserve,” Mark said. “My son likes to help out, but I think it’s more fun for him than anything. Whether it’s on the farm or supporting his military career, our family is tight.”

Brock now has two kids of his own and noted while they haven’t expressed a desire to join the service quite yet, that could change later. Until then, the Harrell family’s tradition of service remains ever present at Duke Field.

“Brock is carrying on the legacy that I started here years ago,” Mark said. “This is a volunteer job, and he’s making a difference.”

Brock’s father is nearing retirement, so he treasures the few times their duties enable them to see each other, even if only for a little while. Finally, he hopes that his contributions had an impact on the squadron, and he is proud to continue the family tradition of supporting the 919th SOW mission.

“I’m proud to be an Airman and to carry on the tradition,” Brock said. “I love protecting our country and I want to be the best leader I can be while getting the job done.”