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Mazar-i-Sharif aircrew flight equipment Airman: One deep in the desert

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colin Cates
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar - --  Every Airman is taught the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do, and is expected to demonstrate those values daily.

One such Airman that demonstrates those values by the work he is doing is U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Robinson, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Detachment 1 aircrew flight equipment technician.

Robinson solely inspects every piece of flight crew equipment that is attached to the 340th EARS Det. 1, while maintaining all shop responsibilities. He provides this valuable service to the mission, and performs duties above his pay grade in a one deep position.

"It has been an experience, a growing experience," said Robinson. "I have learned to tackle some challenges that I did not think I would have to face, but it has been a great opportunity and my fellow wingmen have been by my side the whole time."

He was entrusted with this opportunity by his constant demonstration of the knowledge needed to get the job done while maintaining a high level of integrity to do it the right way.

"When you go from building a shop on your own in a desolate area, then you take those lessons back home you can probably cut out a lot of waste and time and say better way to do it."

"I think I have really helped the mission here, I have found some weaknesses that needed to be addressed and I believe I have set a new standard of how things need to be done," said Robinson. "It is a really great mission, it is awesome to talk to the aircrew members after and hear about all the important things were doing to support the war fighter down range."

By taking this challenge head-on and doing what was asked of him, Robinson set the standard of service before self. He has shown the ability to step up when called upon to get the job done.

"I had to learn to maximize my time management and get as much done as I can, being a one man crew I cannot be everywhere but I have found an ops tempo that works," said Robinson.

Taking pride in what we do as service members is a common mindset among the military and Robinson has bought into that sediment to the fullest. He provides a quality work ethic with exceptional attention to detail that is carried out with excellence in all he does.

"The improvements that I been able to help here range from a personal recovery of the aircrafts being safer to the flight crew is now flying with hygienically cleaner equipment, which is vital to their ability to conduct the mission." Having the opportunity to help and impact the mission here is something I look forward to every day.