Spotlight on the Afghan National Army Air Force Logistic Mentor - Lt. Col. Mike Masiker

Published June 24, 2010
By Capt. Rob Leese
438th AEW PAO

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Lt. Col. Michael Masiker, originally from Maumee, Ohio, is currently assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing at the Kabul International Airport in Kabul Afghanistan, serving on a one year deployment as the Logistics Director for the wing. He is also a member of the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing and a federal technician.

He mentors the Afghan National Army Air Force logistics commander and he had nothing but praise for him. "He is very astute and knowledgeable of the job, which has made his job easier. I have been blessed to work with him. He is a good guy."

During his six months in Afghanistan, he has helped the ANAAF logistic commander, Col. Saifor Shah, understand the benefits of using airlift to move heavy equipment. The ANAAF commander's standard movement would be through an over the road convoy which would take a month to plan and set up. They were able to cut that time to have the equipment identified and in place within a week. Last week, they moved a truck tug on a C-27 airlift transport aircraft.

Now, the commander is asking for a list of the sizes and weights of all rolling stock, so he knows what can go on the aircraft. Three weeks ago, he wanted to move everything by convoy and now two more heavy loads are scheduled to go on the C-27. This helps them get things to where it is need most and it is the quickest way to get it there. Small positive changes can be seen every day like this in Afghanistan.

Colonel Masiker joined the Air National Guard February 1970 and during his career, he has deployed to Panama during Operation Just Cause which helped in removing Noriega from power. He has also been deployed three times supporting Operation Northern Watch and once during Operation Southern Watch.

He is a computer science graduate from the University of Toledo and enlisted with the Ohio Air Guard as an avionics technician and in 1983 became an aircraft maintenance officer. He worked on the F-100 Super Sabres, A-7 Cosair II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon before becoming a logistics readiness officer June 2001.

He has been in the Guard for most of his adult life and explained, "I am now working with the grandchildren of the people I used to work with."

So why does he do it? Masiker explains, "It is a good thing...everyone has to do something and this is what I do."

When he joined, he originally planned to get out of the Guard in 1976, but as time when on, he kept earning good years and eventually planned to stay until he could retire. A goal he will achieve July 2011.

His main desire was to work as an Air Guard Technician, but the difference between the benefit at Toledo Edison versus what the Air Guard was too big of a gap to bridge; however, his job in Toledo was moved to Cleveland. He ended up joining the Common Pleas Court in the Juvenile Division as a Human Resources Administrator. He did this job for five years when a maintenance officer position came open in the Guard.

He decided that pursuing what he really wanted to do outweighed the benefits he received from his civilian job, so he became a full-time ANG technician.

"I was able to make a career change at a very late stage in my life. Something that many people in that stage of life want to do, but can't."

During his career, there have been a lot of good things that I have been involved in, but it is the people that he has worked with that made it great. He has enjoyed watching them perform, grow and being there to help them.

"I cannot speak to the number of wonderful people that I have been affiliated with."

He misses his two grandkids and his wife, Christine, the most. It helps seeing them on vide, but it is not the same. "I talk to my grandkids almost every day because my wife is their nanny."

He hopes to be home in time for Christmas and plans on visiting a few restaurants to get some of the food that he misses from the Toledo area.