Airmen Say ‘I Do’ In Black Hawk

Two airmen said "I do" above Iraqi soil in an Army UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter last week. Airmen 1st Class Vernon Millican and Toni Chapman, both of the deployed security forces contingent here, pledged to spend the rest of their lives together before God and four of their friends during the helicopter's training mission. The airmen are assigned to the 5th Security Forces Squadron and met a year ago while living in the dorms at Minot Air Force Base, N.D.

The idea to get married on a military aircraft grew from Millican's desire to propose to Chapman on a C-130 Hercules as they flew from Kuwait City to here. "I originally wanted to propose to her on the C-130, but as we boarded the plane, (the loadmaster) took all our personal bags, and I couldn't get to the ring," Millican said.

"As we screamed to talk over the jet noise, Toni suggested that we try to get married on an aircraft, while we were still deployed," Millican said. Armed with his original desire to propose and his future bride's suggestion for an aircraft ceremony, Millican set his plan into action.

"(The day he proposed) was his day off, but I was working," Chapman said.

"At the end of my shift, he found me in a bad mood, eating a meal-ready-to-eat," she said. As their DVD player crooned, 'For you,' by Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews, "(Millican) asked me to stand up, (and) got down on one knee (to) propose."

From there, all it took was an inquiry about the Army's flying missions. Army Capt. Keith Sandoval, a pilot, gave the go-ahead, and off they went into the wild blue yonder. "I was glad they got to do their ceremony in my helicopter," Sandoval said.

Chaplain (Capt.) John Von Almen performed the ceremony after some initial hesitation. "Once I realized how loving and committed to one another the couple was, my reservations subsided," Von Almen said.

Von Almen presented the couple with a certificate commemorating the union. Since there is no formal government in Iraq to issue a marriage certificate that can be recognized in the United States, the couple will need to have a civil ceremony upon their return home.

For their five-year anniversary, Millican and Chapman said they will renew their vows in a more traditional ceremony so their family and friends can participate. "(Family and friends) are excited for us, and we want them to still be a part of our special day," Chapman said.

The couple was all smiles as the helicopter touched down from its training mission. "I was really nervous, but (the ceremony) was a cool experience," Chapman said.

"We did our wedding stuff backwards," Millican said. "Most people get married in the (United States) and then go to another country. We got married in another country and we'll return to the (United States)."

"Vince and Toni's wedding ceremony was a real boost to morale in the squadron," said Maj. Marion Dallison, commander of the Balad Southeast security forces squadron.

“During deployments, it is easy to get focused on doing the mission and just counting the days to return home,” she said, “but for those who choose to keep a positive focus, deployments are opportunities to make a difference and to grow personally and professionally.

“Vince and Toni are great examples of professional, motivated airmen doing great things for our country as security (forces) members here in Iraq. They have the right focus on their relationship and the covenant they made before God," Dallison said.

"I was honored to help enable the wedding ceremony to take place here at Balad," she said.

Both airmen are scheduled to return to Minot in the upcoming weeks. However, Chapman -- now Airman Millican -- will return one month before her new husband.

"It will be lonely, of course, but at least I'll get to greet him when he comes home," she said. "You have to look at the bright side of things." Even though their ceremony is not formally recognized by the United States, the couple will still celebrate their anniversary Nov. 6. [ANN Thanks Capt. Monica M. Bland, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Detachment 1 Public Affairs]

FMI: www.af.mil