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86th Airlift Wing
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Lewis, 121st Maintenance Squadron fuels system specialist, and Staff Sgt. Dexter Lewis, 121st MXS assisted dedicated crew chief, pose in front of a KC-135R Stratotanker, at Marrakesh, Morocco, May 22, 2025. These identical twins are from the Ohio Air National Guard and are working together during the multinational military exercise, African Lion 2025.
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Alexandra Longfellow
MARRAKESH, Morocco — For U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Dexter and Dylan Lewis, being deployed together isn’t just a matter of logistics, it’s a lifelong rhythm.
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Born and raised in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio, Dexter and Dylan have rarely spent time apart.
“We went to the same college, lived in the same dorm, and joined the Air Guard together,” said Dylan.
The original plan was football. But when that door closed, military service opened a new path, a decision inspired by their cousin, a lieutenant in their home unit, who introduced them to the Guard.
The transition into military life brought its own challenges. For the first time, the brothers had to be separated during training. Dexter left for basic and tech school before Dylan, and the separation lasted eight months.
“We had never been apart for more than a few days,” Dylan said. “It taught us how to be independent, how to function on our own. But when we came back together, we were stronger, as individuals and as a team.”
During the exercise, Dexter serves as a crew chief while Dylan, a fuels specialist, supports operations on the ground. Though their jobs differ, their connection enhances the mission.
“It’s been cool showing him what I do,” said Dexter. “He knows what a crew chief is, but now he’s seeing it up close.”
That closeness goes both ways. Dylan credits Dexter with helping him learn quickly.
“Nobody can teach me the way he can. Our minds work the same,” Dylan said. “He knows how I process information, and that makes a huge difference."
Their bond often confuses others. Teammates regularly mix them up, including one instance when an officer believed Dexter had ditched a medical boot during drill weekend.
“I had to explain that he saw Dylan,” Dexter laughed. “He didn’t believe me at first.”
Despite their similarities, the twins aren’t identical in personality. Dylan is the planner, more mission-focused, and admits to overpacking. Dexter is more laid-back and once deployed with only a weekend’s worth of clothes.
“I ran out of underwear really quick,” he confessed.
Still, their strengths complement each other. As roommates and teammates, they rarely argue.
“Maybe once a year, and it ends in a hug,” said Dylan.
African Lion 2025 marks their second time deployed together, the first being a 2022 rotation to Qatar. For them, the biggest takeaway isn’t just the mission, it’s the experience of doing it together.
“Serving in the Guard with Dexter makes me feel like we’re always looking out for each other,” Dylan said. “It gives my family peace of mind, knowing I’m not doing this alone.”
Representing Ohio and their unit overseas is something they don’t take lightly.
“It’s an honor,” both Dexter and Dylan said. “We want to show we’re here to work hard, connect with our Moroccan counterparts, and represent our country well.”
Twins by birth. Airmen by choice. And for the Lewis brothers, being together in uniform is just the latest chapter in a lifelong story of brotherhood and service.
About African Lion
AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.
For all photos, videos and article throughout the exercise, visit the African Lion feature page on DVIDS.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS.
