Uncle, nephew watch over Travis sky together

Published Feb. 7, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the summer of 2003, Donald White, like many high school seniors on the verge of graduating, was at a crossroad, unsure of what path he should take.

Fortunately for Donald, he had "Uncle Warren" Richardson, nearby to help him make the right choice.

"My uncle has always been one of my role models," he said. "I knew he would listen and help me make a good decision."

The first thing Richardson, then a technical sergeant and air traffic controller, asked Donald was "what do you want to accomplish in life?"
"I told him that no matter what career he chose, it will be challenging and not easy," he said.

After many heart-to-hearts talks, Donald decided to follow in his uncle's footsteps and joined the Air Force. However, there was still yet another decision Donald had to make.

"After deciding to join the Air Force, I decided that I wanted to be an air traffic controller like my uncle. Also because it offered different challenges and opportunities," Donald said.

Donald, now a senior airman and an air traffic controller with the 60th Operations Support Squadron, says he enjoys coming to work because everyday offers a new surprise.

A surprise is exactly what Donald got when he reported for duty one cold December day.
"I was just working at my station when someone walked in and said hello. I turned around to respond and there he was with a big grin on his face."

Not only had "Uncle Warren," now retired, been hired as a Travis air traffic controller, but he had been assigned to work the same shift as Donald and that Donald was now his trainer.

"It's a funny coincidence because no one knew we were related," Richardson said.
Richardson also said, after watching Donald work, he is very proud of what he has accomplished in his short career.

"I'm always telling him that he smarter than he gives himself credit for," he said. "I encourage him not only to continue what he's doing, but get better and search for new challenges because I know he loves a challenge."

For Donald, getting to work with his role model has been a special and rewarding experience.

"He's the reason I joined the Air Force and one of the reasons I want to succeed in whatever I do," he said.

Although both have a mutual respect for one another, neither will agree on one important fact: who is the better air traffic controller?

According to Richardson, at Travis, Donald is better.

"But everywhere else, I am."