Travis Reserve civil engineers get top honors from the Command

  • Published
  • By Ellen Hatfield
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Air Force Reserve Command announced the 2014 Air Force Civil Engineer Awards, and two 349th Air Mobility Wing civil engineers were winners.  The awards were announced by Brig. Gen. Curtis L. Williams, director of installations and mission support.

The Chief Master Sgt. Larry R. Daniels Award went to Master Sgt. Robert E. Stokes II, and recognizes superior job performance by a military superintendent. Stokes is a traditional reservist. The Maj. Gen. Eugene A. Lupia Award recognizes superior job performance in company grade officer and noncommissioned officer categories. Staff Sgt. Mitchell Birdsong won in the NCO category.

Birdsong joined the 349th CES team a year ago, as the emergency management air reserve technician. A native Californian, he's been told he's also Native American, as the Birdsong name is connected to the Crow, Blackfoot, and Creek nations. But he is so busy at the squadron, he hasn't had much time to research his genealogy.

In addition to his duties as EM, he processes orders and travel vouchers, holds a government purchase card for the unit, and schedules squadron fitness and combat arms training on the M-4, and, most recently, as joined the Wing Inspection Team. Having served a tour of duty as infantry in the U.S. Marine Corps has prepared him well for taking on these additional duties.

He also has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice, and is working on a package in hopes of a opportunity in the Deserving Airman Commissioning program. When he's not wearing the many hats he dons for his CE duties, he tries to find time for some dirt biking and snowboarding. His passion is nature photography, something he's drawn accolades for, from friends and strangers alike, as he posts his photos on the web.

What motivates this smiling and energetic NCO, whose work ethic and dedication singled him out for top honors in his field? "If my name is on it, I want it to be the best it can be," said Birdsong. "I work hard to be the best I can, but when I go home, the job stays here. It keeps me balanced."