Airman Spotlight: Senior Airman Matthew Owens

Published July 29, 2013
By Staff Reports
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

Unit: 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight

Job title: Customer service representative

Job description and its impact on the overall mission: I'm a mobile maintenance technician and repair all types of government owned vehicles on Osan. Whenever a vehicle breaks down in the field I respond, troubleshoot the problem, and make all possible repairs. If the vehicle requires further maintenance that cannot be performed in the field, I make the necessary arrangements for it to be towed. By doing this, I keep the vehicle in the driver's hands, support the mission, and enable the main vehicle maintenance sections to focus on major repairs.

Time in the military: Three years and one month

Time at Osan: Four months

DEROS: March 2014

Family: My mother Casey Owens, my father Michael Owens, and my sister Emily Owens

Hometown: Rome, Ga.

Hobbies: I enjoy snowboarding, mountain biking and kayaking

Why did you join the military? I joined for the job security and I wanted to travel the world

Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? I would like to retire from the Air Force and then get a stress-free job that involves one of my hobbies.

What do you do for fun here? I enjoy traveling and experiencing South Korean culture.

What's your favorite Air Force memory or story? My favorite memory is surfing waves with my friends in the dorm parking lot after a hurricane.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I'm most proud of successfully kayaking five miles down the James River during a storm for a Red Cross charity event. I was able to complete the event when many could not.

Who are your role models? My parents and Chuck Norris are my role models.