Photo By Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter | David Staib, Senior Airman Logan Staib’s father, hands Logan’s headphone to his...... read more read more
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MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.— “This pastime, this obsession, has singlehandedly kept me and my father sane. This combustion-fueled addiction is my life.” These words, written by the late Senior Airman Logan Staib in a heartfelt poem about his bond with his father, resonated deeply on March 13, 2025, during a tribute at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
Logan’s father, David Staib, stood solemnly before a retired HH-60G Pave Hawk—the very helicopter Logan worked on as an assistant dedicated crew chief. Beside it sat a restored vintage Mustang, a labor of love that father and son had vowed to restore together.
Before Logan left for an assignment in Okinawa, Japan, he and his father purchased the classic car with the promise of restoring it upon his return. Tragically, Logan never made it home. After his passing, civilian and Air Force friends rallied to help David complete the restoration, giving him a bittersweet sense of closure.
“The other day I had it in second gear, and it just accelerated so fast, and there was a huge smile on my face,” David said. “I promise you that this was the same smile on his face when he passed away riding his motorcycle that day. I got to share in that passion and see it.”
Seeking further closure, David reached out to Senior Master Sgt. Miles Gravage, 74th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons section chief, with a heartfelt request: to bring Logan’s restored Mustang to Moody AFB and place it beside the retired HH-60G as a tribute to his son. Gravage recognized the significance of this moment, to honor Logan’s legacy.
As the Mustang and helicopter stood side by side, David felt the weight of the moment. The two symbols of his son’s greatest passions were finally united. Though he couldn't fully explain why he felt compelled to bring them together, seeing them side by side made the true significance clear—this was more than a memorial; it was a powerful testament to Logan's life and his impact on those around him.
From June 2019 to November 2022, Logan served as an assistant dedicated crew chief for the 41st Rescue Generation Squadron at Moody AFB before transferring to Kadena Air Base with the 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit. His skill and dedication were widely recognized.
“Along with the dedicated crew chief, they are responsible for the aircraft, and without them the mission doesn’t happen,” Gravage said. “Staib was one of the funniest guys around, but also one of the most skilled technicians. When he got to the helicopter maintenance world, he was like a fish in water—he just got it. According to everyone I talked to, you didn’t have to worry about the maintenance he was doing, which says a lot about the family, how they brought him up, and how tight knit the rescue community is.”
On May 30, 2023, Logan tragically lost his life in an accident in Okinawa. His loss deeply affected his family, friends, and the Air Force community. The 33rd HMU honored him by dedicating a morale room in his name.
David recounted the last moments leading up to his son’s passing. Logan had sent a video of himself riding his motorcycle through Okinawa, marveling at the island’s beauty and expressing gratitude for being there. His passion for cars, a hobby he shared with his father, was another aspect of his life that left a lasting impression. Completing the Mustang restoration became a mission of love and remembrance for those closest to him.
During their visit to the HH-60G, the Staib family made a deep, emotional discovery. Not only was Logan’s name painted on the side of the helicopter—a crew chief rite of passage—but Logan had also signed his name inside the aircraft. At that moment, they added their signatures beside his, leaving messages of love and remembrance.
“I did not know what that meant at the time, and now it means everything,” David said. “I am never at a loss for words, but I couldn’t articulate what that meant for me today. You know that helicopter is stuck there in history for the rest of its life, with my son’s name on it and his signature on the inside, and we all had the chance to write our goodbyes in there. There are a few things in life that are immeasurable and this is one.”
For David, standing between the Mustang and the HH-60G brought an overwhelming sense of connection to his son and made him feel bulletproof.
“It is one of the tangible things on Earth almost like a picture, and yet it is real,” he said. “Being able to see it all together and realizing that what started out as a thought is now being brought into fruition with the help of Miles, and having people come see it all happen … what a journey.”
After the tribute, friends and family visited the 41st RGS, where Logan once worked. They shared stories about his humor, kindness, and passion. His close friend, Kaitlyn Neff, spoke of how Logan was a safe place for her during a crucial time in her life. Another friend, Harrison Dolan, recounted a moment that reflected Logan’s character.
“There was one specific time when we were out late fishing, and instead of going back to his mom’s house, he asked if he could say with me,” he said. “I wasn’t in the best situation. I didn’t have the most supportive family growing up, and I was embarrassed to tell him that I was sleeping on the floor at my buddy’s house because I didn’t have anywhere to go. Logan said ‘That’s fine, is there room for two?’. He stayed with me, and we both slept on my own blankets on the floor, and that’s how I knew he really loves me, and it was special. From that point on, he was my best friend and like a brother to me.”
The tribute closed with friends gathered around, reminiscing. Anthony Noto, another close friend, reflected on how meaningful it was to hear everyone’s memories, allowing them to experience different sides of Logan. His sister, Peyton Edwards, could not attend the tribute in person, she honored her brother by sharing her thoughts.
“There are far too many memories with Logan for me to pick just one or two to share with you,” she said. “Instead, I would like to talk to you about the way Logan made me feel. He made me feel at peace, and he made me feel loved unconditionally.”
Among the many stories, Logan’s bond with his father stood out the most. David expressed gratitude for the relationship they had and the time they spent together. Logan's middle school poem captured the essence of their connection:
This is my father, this is my father’s son.
This is a hobby, turned to an obsession turned
To a fire fueled, combustion fueled rather addiction.
This is a classic car. This is hour after hour in a garage
This is the icepack at the end of the day from
Leaning over an engine. This is band-aide wrapped hands.
This is the hobby that not many know about. This is
A father and son pastime.
But most of all, this is what makes me happy.
This pastime, This obsession has singlehandedly
Kept me and my father sane.
This combustion fueled addiction is my life.
David hopes Logan’s legacy leaves a lasting footprint, inspiring others to live passionately and purposefully, embracing his favorite quote: "Live life with no regrets." This tribute was more than a memorial; it was a message from Logan’s Air Force family that his legacy will continue to shape the community he loved.
“As we all come and go, we kind of lose sight of here and now and the people that influence us and that we influence,” Gravage said. “But when we have a tragic event like this, it makes us step back and reflect on what is important—the Airmen.”
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2025 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 494242 |
| Location: | MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 804 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Honoring SrA Logan Staib: A Father's Tribute to His Son's Passion and Service, by A1C Savannah Carpenter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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