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Incirlik NCO wins Air Force level award

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Ausmann, 39th Medical Support Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight NCO in charge, collects a radiological background reading with a Radeco high volume air sampler at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, March 8, 2018.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Ausmann, 39th Medical Support Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight NCO in charge, collects a radiological background reading with a Radeco high volume air sampler at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, March 8, 2018. Ausmann recently received the 2017 Air Force Medical Services, Base Bioenvironmental Engineer of the Year award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany E. N. Murphy)

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Ausmann, 39th Medical Support Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight NCO in charge, recently received the 2017 Air Force Medical Services, Base Bioenvironmental Engineer of the Year award.

Ausmann was nominated for the award during his time at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, after winning both the Bioenvironmental Engineer of the Year and the Language Capable Airman of the Year. Both of the Major Command level awards, aided in his package used for his U.S. Air Force level award.

Throughout 2017, he performed numerous duties that set him apart from his peers, such as performing as the Bioenvironmental flight chief while his flight chief was deployed, responding to an aircraft crash, as well as being appointed the sole enlisted radiation safety officer within his MAJCOM.

“For USAFE, I was and still am the only appointed enlisted Radiation Safety Officer,” said Ausmann. “It is very rare for there to be a Tech. Sgt. doing what I do. I was lucky to be in that position and to have the education and experience background.”

According to Ausmann, another skill that may have helped him stand out, was working as a translator for the U.S. Embassy, as he speaks fluent Portuguese. As a certified medical translator, he aided two families who were victims of domestic abuse and only spoke Portuguese.

Even while busy throughout the year, he finished his Bachelor’s degree, attributing his drive for success to his daughter and wife.

“My wife was pregnant and throughout that year I didn’t know how much time I would have on my hands as a new dad,” said Ausmann, “I just wanted to get as many things as I could done before she was born, so that I would be able to balance work and being a dad. My girls are my two biggest [inspirations] and are the main reason why I do what I do and all the things I did last year to win the award.”

After leaving Germany, Ausmann did not lose his drive to be the best Airman he could be.

“Tech. Sgt.  Ausmann hit the ground running as an already experienced and ready nuclear surety Airman from Spangdahlem,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Leonardo Somera, 39th MDOS bioenvironmental engineering flight commander. “Not only did he bring his expertise, but he also brought his aptitude for getting our Airmen ready to be Titans.  He's my right hand man to ensure our team is developed, expeditiously, to be full-fledged Titan Bioenvironmental Engineering responders.”