Couple finds home in Air Force Published May 30, 2015 By Joel Langton 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Editor's Note: May is Month of the Military Spouse and this story is an effort to recognize one of those spouses, like so many, who give so much. It reads like an unbelievable love story. Girl sees boy in junior high school, "I saw that smile and heard him play the drums, and my heart was his," said Gina McComb, wife of Chief Master Sgt. Troy McComb, 47th Medical Group superintendent who's deployed. But, like real life, it took boy a bit to catch on. She saw him at Neelyville School in Missouri (with 295 students in 13 grades) in May of 1988 but it wasn't until Sept 10, 1988 that he slowed down enough to take a walk in the park with her. But, that's all it took. Like the Capulets and Montagues in Romeo and Juliet, these two redefined stars crossed. "We didn't tell anyone we were dating for three years," Gina said. "We were good kids. We didn't do anything wrong, we just wanted to be with each other." Twenty-six years later, they're still going strong. They did have their share of challenges. They were in small town Missouri near the Arkansas border, an area that wasn't exactly known for its racial integration. It wasn't to be, even when Troy graduated. However, a year after graduation, Gina's mom signed the consent form, letting her get married at 17-year- old. Troy was joining the Air Force and they were going to be together. After the wedding, Troy went to Basic Military Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and then on to Shepherd AFB and eventually Scott AFB, Ill. At Scott, Gina graduated from high school. "I had to promise I'd graduate or my mom wouldn't sign the paperwork for us to get married," she said. They also found something at Scott with their Air Force community they hadn't yet experienced. "Our fellow Airmen were our family," said Gina. "And they didn't care if he was black and I was white, all they cared about was that we were fellow Airmen." While Gina has never worn the blue uniform, she's done nothing but bleed Air Force blue. "I love our Airmen, I love our system ," Gina said, although there have been times that have been tough, like the present. Troy is currently deployed to the other side of the globe and their youngest, Garrett, is graduating. "It's not easy, I hate it that he's not here to see Garrett, but we are doing what we love." She said she thinks it's tougher being a military kid than being a military spouse. "They are always moving, always having to make new friends, fit in somewhere new, reestablish themselves on the sports team, but I'll tell you one thing," she said. "When they are older, they're tough. They can do anything." They also have another son, Terrance, 22-years-old and in college, who just finished a stint in the Coast Guard. As much as Gina loves the Air Force, one thing about it does cause her distress. "Troy is at the 23-year mark and is going to have to retire at the 30-year mark," she said. "I'm going to miss the Air Force more than he will. I'm going to have a tough time with it." There are and will be challenges along the way, but one thing is certain. She's doing what she loves. "I love being a military spouse. I have a lot of pride in what my husband does, I love my country and I love the Air Force," Gina said.