U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- Trainee Justin Hurt and his twin brother, Airman First Class Jake Hurt, have a military lineage generations deep and look to add their own chapter in their family’s service history within the Air Force Reserve’s 301st Fighter Wing. For more than 30 years, their family members have served the U.S. Army, Marines and Air Force in various capacities to include F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot.
“Within my family, patriotism runs deep, duty was always taught as something to be proud of and we always talked about the pride one gets from serving one’s country,” said Trainee Hurt. “I knew I wanted serve from an early age and I think the biggest reason I joined the AFR [Air Force Reserve] was because of my father and brother [Jake].”
The twins’ father, Senior Master Sgt. (ret.) Stephen Hurt, is a 27-year Air Force combat veteran with multiple tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Justin reflects how his father’s experience specifically impacted him.
“When I was younger, my family was stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., and I remember seeing and hearing the A-10 Warthogs flying around the air space. It was one of the coolest things to experience growing up and I wanted to be a part of that one day,” he said. “That is why I chose to join the Air Force Reserve, that plus the fact my twin brother Jake also joined the Air Force Reserve.”
Eventually, the Hurt twins will serve within two critical career fields within the same 301st Fighter Wing. Airman First Class Jake Hurt, who was also a basic military training honor graduate, is a electrical systems journeyman assigned to the 301st Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron. After he completes his basic military training, Trainee Justin Hurt will serve as an aerospace propulsion journeyman within the 301st Fighter Wing Maintenance Squadron here.
“My brother and I are lifelong Red Raiders!” Justin said. “Some of the greatest experiences of our lives happened while attending Texas Tech University, and I am looking forward to serving together.”
As Trainee Hurt looks to the horizon of his military career and service, he explains his excitement for the adventure which lies ahead.
“My whole life I knew I wanted to serve… I just never really knew in what capacity. I have also always wanted to work in the aerospace field and have always found jets to be amazing technological achievements,” said Hurt. “The chance to actually get to work on them and learn how they operate is a truly exciting and thrilling feeling.”
With a bright future ahead of him, Trainee Hurt is combining his passions into a reality.
“The Air Force Reserve is fulfilling my childhood dream of working in the aerospace field, and there is no better way to get introduced to aerospace than by serving the greatest Air Force in the world.”