Joshua Bird

- Leads 10 maintainers and engineers overseeing design, upkeep, and optimization of complex manufacturing equipment. - Supports operational continuity of acoustic foam manufacturing for aerospace, automotive, defense, and medical applications. - Manages complex pre-run equipment inspections, ensuring machinery is calibrated & operational prior to each production cycle. - Oversees cost-reduction and maintenance projects, identifying wear trends and implementing solutions to extend service life.

- Managed training, qualification, and deployment readiness for 38 pilots across a fleet of 48 airframes including the U-2 and T-38. - Coordinated complex pilot scheduling and problem-solved conflicts to maintain continuous squadron mission-ready status. - Assisted in establishing the squadron’s Research & Development Lab, serving as pilot liaison to expand U-2 mission capabilities. - Piloted ISR missions above 70K feet, conducting sorties of up to 14 hours in duration over hostile and sensitive environments. - Operated onboard sensors/satellite datalinks to capture imagery and communications intelligence for ad hoc target collection.

- Led 17 Joint Chiefs of Staff personnel, directing missions that ensured 114 hours of in theater multi-intelligence collection. - Served as an ambassador for distinguished guests including Senators/Members of Congress, supporting DoD media objectives.

- Commanded aerial refueling operations across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe across 8 deployments/missions. - Operational experience in oceanic airspace. Made position reports, monitored performance, and verified alternate suitability. - Trained aircrew on fuel management techniques, tactics, and procedures including weather integration and contingency planning. - Managed 700+ officer performance reviews and decorations, organizing the quarterly recognition program honoring 22 airmen.

- Authored KC-10 tactics, techniques, and procedures, coordinating updates with higher headquarters course standards. - Invented a large formation weather avoidance procedure, subsequently adopted and implemented across 8 total force squadrons.

- Overhauled squadron safety records, transitioning to a digital documentation system, eliminating a 1-year administrative backlog. - Supervised the annual squadron safety inspection, reducing prior year findings by over 60% through proactive hazard mitigation. - Led a wing-wide flight safety standdown, briefing 135 aircrew members on human factors, strengthening mishap prevention.