The Patriot Files: Dear airman

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA, UNITED STATES

05.30.2012

Story by Senior Airman Jarad Denton 

Joint Base Langley-Eustis

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — The barracks were practically empty, but Airman Kevin Mastin sat alone at his desk, hunched over a college algebra book, studying. All his friends had left to explore the town surrounding Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.

He had to get an A. That was the deal his supervisor had made with him. If Mastin earned an A he could continue to attend school - bringing him one step closer to his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot.

Mastin's dream began the day he saw the Air Force Thunderbirds perform at Fairchild. Their aerial acrobatics in the F-16 Fighting Falcon left a lasting impression on Mastin, who instantly fell in love with the idea of being a pilot.

"I just felt driven to fly after I saw those planes in the air," said Col. Kevin Mastin, as he leaned back on the couch in his office and remembered the 1984 airshow that changed his life. "I had to do it."

Mastin, whose office was full of boxes, was preparing to leave his position as vice commander of the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va. and assume command of a reserve officer training corps detachment. He looked out his window, which provided a clear view of the flightline, and smiled - recalling the series of choices which led him from enlisted Airman to second lieutenant and fighter pilot, to colonel with 30 years of service to his country.

"I knew I wanted to serve my country," Mastin said. "A lot of my family members had joined the military, so I felt obligated to do the same."

While a sense of obligation and duty motivated Mastin to raise his right hand and enlist, he had no idea where the decision would take him.

"I ultimately wanted to be a Xerox repairman," Mastin said. "I used to talk with the technician who came to fix the Xerox machine at the school where my Mom worked. He told me if I wanted to be a repairman, I should join the military and learn a skill. That sealed the deal for me."

Mastin joined, fully expecting to serve his country four years, separate and work for Xerox. However, his love of airplanes, and vision to become a pilot, changed his life's ambition overnight. Even though there were times he wanted to put the books away and join his friends for a night out, he kept pushing through to his goal.

"I felt discouraged sometimes," Mastin said. "As an airman going to college while living in the barracks, I watched and did homework as all my friends got ready to go out. It made me question myself. 'What am I doing? Why am I doing this?'"

Love of airplanes wasn't his only motivation. Mastin also said he was driven by a fear of failure. He was so focused on being a pilot that nothing else in life seemed to matter. Looking back, Col. Mastin said he would tell Airman Mastin to be more patient.

"Be more patient, earlier in your career," Mastin said. "I missed out on a lot of things at my first assignment because I was so focused on what was next - like you do when you're young."

However, even though Mastin wished he'd enjoyed life as an airman more, he wouldn't trade in a day of his career.

"I've never done this for the money," he said. "It's always been for the love of serving our country and the amazing people I've met during my career."

Mastin paused, remembering a time when he served as a pilot with the Thunderbirds. They were preparing to do a show, and Mastin was walking toward the hangar when he saw two people standing outside, waiting for him - and older man and a young boy. The man, a retired Air Force master sergeant, introduced the boy, who said nothing and hid shyly from Mastin.

"The boy was about 9 years old," Mastin said. "His Mom had a boyfriend who used to abuse him."

Mastin held up his hands, which shook slightly as he continued the story.

"Every time the boy would cry, the boyfriend would take a knife to his hands," he paused and turned his head, trying to hold back tears. "His hands looked like they had been through meat grinders."

The boy was incredibly withdrawn, Mastin said. He needed to see that someone cared, so Mastin knelt down and looked the boy in the eye.

"God never gives you more than you can handle," Mastin said. "So how are we going to take what you've been through, get past it and build on it?"

Mastin smiled at the boy, took him by the hand and led him into the hangar where all the Thunderbirds came together to show the boy what it meant to be a part of the team. Mastin smiled again and said for years afterward he stayed in contact with the boy as a pen pal.

"Seeing something like that makes you realize, "holy cow," there are a lot of terrible things happening in this world - and within our own Air Force," Mastin said. "We have Airmen struggling just like that little boy struggled. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget the problems of others."

As an airman, Mastin said he was singularly focused on studying, getting promoted, getting to work and doing his job. His loyalty and vision was restricted to his shop and the 92nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Fairchild. Today, Col. Mastin sees the world differently.

"It's not about getting promoted," he said. "Take care of the people around you, and understand that you are a part of one big team. Extend your loyalty beyond the shop to the entire Air Force - to the country."

Mastin chuckled and shook his head, as he thought back to the type of person he was as an Airman.

"I thought I had all the answers," he said. "I knew my job, and I lived in my own little world - not realizing what was going on around me.

It wasn't until the first time Mastin was able to pilot an airplane that he truly felt his world expand.

"I can still remember the sights, smells and sounds of the first time I was strapped into a jet," he said. "I couldn't believe it. I kept thinking 'I've made it, I've made it.'"

To this day, Mastin said he feels that same excitement every time he gets in a plane to fly. His passion for flying permeates into his leadership and lighthearted approach to life.

"Joker has a wonderful sense of humor, and a terrific outlook on life," said Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander, who has known Mastin for years. "He touches everyone he meets in an incredibly positive way. He really cares about the people and the Air Force."

Edwards, who referred to Mastin by his call-sign: "Joker," said he recently met up with him at a conference, where they were able to have dinner, and catch up on old times.

"I stepped away from the table for a few minutes," Edwards began. "When I returned, I saw - in pure Joker fashion, he had three pilots sitting around him as he mentored them. He is truly one of my best friends. I just think the world of him."

As Mastin prepares to leave behind his role as 1st FW vice commander, he finds himself thinking on how he would like to be remembered.

"If there was a mark to be left behind, I would want it to be as someone who treated others fairly," Mastin said. "I want to be known as someone who put people first, ahead of my own career - as someone who never compromised my own integrity. I would retire tomorrow as an airman basic before I put my own career ahead of the needs of another airman."

While Col. Mastin's legacy has been forged through a career of hard work, dedication to duty and personal sacrifice, as he prepares for his final flight at Langley, he said if he could, he would leave one message to Airman Mastin as he studied alone in his barracks, dreaming of one day flying as an Air Force pilot.

"There are a lot of things which are going to happen in the next 30 years that you can't even imagine," Mastin began. "As you travel those 30 years, never compromise your integrity. Take care of everyone around you, and especially make sure to take care of your family. Don't sacrifice your family along the way. And don't follow your dreams at the expense of others."

Editor's Note: This story is part of an ongoing series highlighting Service members with exceptional experiences throughout their military careers.

• Date Taken: 05.30.2012
• Date Posted: 05.30.2012 10:13
• Story ID: 89163
• Location: LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA, US