CHICOPEE, Mass. —  A 17-year-old high school junior came to the Westover Air Force Base to take the oath of enlistment to the National Guard. But he was surprised to learn who would administer that oath.

Seth Dupont's father — Lt. Col. Daniel Dupont, a 29-year guard veteran — appeared via video teleconference from his post in Iraq — to induct his son into the Guard.

The elder Dupont it currently serving in Baghdad as a liaison officer to the multinational corps. His son, who attends New Bedford High School, enlisted to become an air traffic controller.

The Massachusetts National Guard helped arranged the special ceremony and said it was very unusual for a father to be able to give his son the oath.