General honors Duke Airmen

  • Published
  • By Maj. Amanda Reeves
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command, personally recognized two of the 919th Special Operations Wing’s Citizen Air Commandos during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field Nov. 6.

Senior Master Sgt. Mike Tomi, 919th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Master Sgt. Jessica Bloodworth, 2nd Special Operations Squadron, were both recognized for their exemplary actions supporting the hurricane recovery efforts for Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and the surrounding communities.

Tomi led the 919th’s maintenance operations for every part of the HUREVAC, including the launch, downrange coordination, and recovery. He also served as the lead production superintendent through the CASEVAC alert, and ensured 100 percent coverage by rotating aircraft, adapting to frequent changes in the flight plan and configurations, balancing ongoing shuttle operations, and accelerating the execution of scheduled maintenance in order to meet all of the 919th’s flying needs.

On short notice, Bloodworth organized a team of volunteers to support the Airman & Family Readiness Center. They provided food, water, magazines, and toys to displaced military members and their families while they waited in long lines to register for the Air Force Grant. Bloodworth also helped prepare 5,000 meals at a café in Enterprise, Alabama, and delivered them to displaced residents in Mexico Beach.

We’re proud of our Citizen Air Commandos for embodying the 919th’s spirit of integration and resiliency, said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Bischoff, 919th SOW command chief.