139th News

Coleman family mobilized to help support COVID-19 response efforts

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Adam Miller
  • 139th Airlift Wing

For one Missouri National Guard family, helping the community is a family affair. 

While the Coleman family is accustomed to mobilizations and deployments, COVID-19 presented a new challenge when the husband-wife team mobilized at the same time on different sides of Missouri. 

“For many families like the Colemans, Guard service is a family tradition,” said Lt. Col. Mark Cheney, 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. “Our Guardsmen are always ready to serve and understand the value of sacrifice. The Colemans are a fantastic example of what is best about our wing and nation.” 

First Lt. Jessica Coleman is the officer in charge of the 139th Services Flight. Her husband, Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Coleman, is the flight chief for the air terminal operations center for the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron. 

Jessica mobilized on April 18 to lead the Missouri National Guard dignified transfer team assigned to St. Louis County, and Bryan mobilized on April 19 to help with the Guard’s food bank support mission in St. Joseph.

The couple knew deploying at the same time was a real possibility so they spent years preparing their three kids for this scenario. Part of that preparation meant instilling in their children that helping others is one of the most important things they could do.

“We taught them to always be thankful for what they have and to always look for the bright side in any situation,” Bryan “The kids are very resilient.”

The Colemans talked about the importance of a support network when one or both service members deploy and agree they had a great support system within their community. “There is no way we could have been successful without our support group,” Jessica said.

Both Colemans are thankful for the opportunity to help their communities and are grateful for the support they received from family and friends. 

“Everyone we have encountered has been very appreciative of the Guard and the help we are providing,” said Bryan.