News

446th Reservist, employer win award for going above and beyond

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nick Przybyciel
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  A Reserve pilot from the 728th Airlift Squadron here was honored with the Air Force Reserve Citizen Airman of the Year Award. 

Maj. Micheal Bautista received the award for placing his civilian career on hold for nine months to go on active-duty orders and fly combat missions to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The Citizen Airman of the Year Award is given out in tandem with the Employer of the Year Award. For its support of Major Bautista, Southwest Airlines was recognized as this year's winner. 

"Major Bautista is an excellent choice for this award," said Lt. Col. Colin Carr, commander of the 728th AS. "He truly represents what makes the Air Force Reserve special--he is an exceptional officer, always volunteering to do more. We're fortunate to have Colonel Bautista as a member of the 728th, Flying Knights." 

While on active duty orders, Major Bautista flew one dozen combat and combat support missions within the United States Central Command's area of responsibility, delivering key troops and equipment to the front lines of contingency operations. These missions were flown challenging conditions, including the threat of enemy surface to air attack. 

Additionally, Major Bautista executed six, high-priority presidential airlift missions throughout Asia, safely transporting key White House equipment and staff, according to his citation package. 

"I'm very proud and humbled by this award," Major Bautista said. "However, I have done no more than the other pilots and loadmasters in my squadron have done. In fact, I pale in comparison to the accomplishments of the workhorses of this wing." 

During his deployment, Southwest Airlines demonstrated exceptional support by delivering care packages to both Major Bautista and his family, along with letters from the companies CEO and president. On top of that, the airline was cited for being a leader in its industry when it comes to providing pay and benefits to deployed servicemembers. 

"Not only does Southwest support the military in general, but they fully stand behind their military reservists and guardsmen. As a stated in my award submission, when I left for missions downrange or elsewhere, whenever I wore my uniform, I not only felt that I represented the U.S. Air Force and Reserve, but I felt like I represented Southwest Airlines, as well," Major Bautista said. 

Southwest's support continued even after Major Bautista returned to work with them in March. 

"The biggest adjustment upon returning to the company was the pilot/Boeing 737 retraining I had to undergo," he said. "I had a lot of catching up to do. Having flown the C-17 exclusively for nine months, I felt like I was learning the 737 all over again. The company was very supportive in my training and tried to make it stress free. The company and management really want you to succeed and set me up for success." 

Aside from receiving the Citizen Airman of the Year award, Major Bautista was also the 446th AW's Field Grade Officer of the Quarter twice in 2008.