After 5 years, Navy reunites two brothers while deployed

Two brothers, separated by service to their country, reunited aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) after five years apart.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Casey Halter met with his brother, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Lucas Halter in the captain's in-port cabin May 17. Casey is assigned to CVN 75 and Lucas is currently forward deployed on USS Porter (DDG 78).

"We got word that one of our Sailors has a brother that's also serving in the Navy," said Truman's Command Master Chief Jonas Carter. "Because of their two duty assignments, they haven't seen each other in five years. This was an opportunity where we could bring them together for a reunion. We coordinated with his brother's command for him to fly over. Their only request was a picture for their mom."

The Halter brothers have been on opposites sides of the country and even an ocean apart during their assignments thus far. While both have wives and families, they said the opportunity to see each other has been more or less impossible for the last five years.

Both of the brothers admitted they didn't think this was possible since both ships would have to be close enough for a helicopter to stop over. Casey said he thought he was in trouble when he was called up to the in-port cabin.

"I think this is one of the highlights of my career so far," said Lucas. "I leave in [a few] weeks so this was the highlight of finishing out this patrol. I was looking forward to going home, but this kind of tops it now."

The brothers toured Truman and watched nighttime flight operations from a variety of locations. Lucas stayed the night in the same berthing as his brother, catching up and taking the time to rekindle their relationship, said Casey.

"We can't do this without the support of our families, and to have another family member serving alongside you across the world is huge," said Carter. "That says a lot about the family and the support they have back home. They wouldn't be able to do what they do here without that."

"Everybody has their ups and their downs with the Navy and in general," said Casey. "If I'm having a tough time or a problem with the Navy, [Lucas has] been through it so I can talk to him and vice versa."

And while serving in the Navy has kept these two apart, it's also brought them together.

"This is just proof that your chain of command will look out for you," said Casey. "It's amazing. I really didn't think this would happen."

Not many people can say that they've been on the same ship as their sibling during a combat deployment, added Casey.
"To be such a big organization and to have the opportunity for family members to one, serve with sacrifice; but two, come together, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Carter. "They may never get the chance to do this again."

As the Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (CSG-8) flag ship, Truman's support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) demonstrates the capability and flexibility of U.S. Naval Forces, and its resolve to eliminate the terrorist group ISIS and the threat it poses.

This article originally appeared on the United States Navy. Follow @usanavy on Twitter.