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940th reservist designs ornament for White House Christmas tree

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson
  • 940th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A reservist with the 940th Air Refueling Wing was selected by California's second district congressman and the 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander to design an ornament for the White House Christmas tree. 

The theme for this year's White House Christmas celebration is "Red, White and Blue Christmas" and the ornaments featured on the tree were decorated by artists around the country to represent the unique patriotic spirit of each artist's state. 

Chief Master Sgt. Stuart Bisland designed the "Team Beale" ornament on the White House Christmas tree. At the request of the First Lady, Laura Bush, Chief Bisland was present for the unveiling of the White House Christmas tree. 

"Back in September, I was contacted by Brig. Gen. Robert "Bob" Otto and his staff and asked to paint the White House Ornament" Chief Bisland said. "They asked me to depict the emerging and intelligence missions we perform at Beale Air Force Base." 

Chief Bisland explained his design on the ornament and how it communicates the mission of the base. On one side of the ornament is the curvature of the Earth, space and the moon, with an RQ-4 Global Hawk flying on the edge of the atmosphere and a satellite in the distance. 

On the other side of the ornament is a U-2 "Dragon Lady" flying through lightning with the Sutter Buttes in the background. The ornament also features the Team Beale logo surrounded by new and old Air Force insignias. 

The chief also managed to include a personal twist on the ornament. 

"In dedication to my late father, Richard Bisland, a Grumman aerospace lunar module engineer, I airbrushed a very small gold lunar module launching from the moon," Chief Bisland said. 

Chief Bisland stated he was overwhelmed by the experience and the opportunity to represent Beale at the unveiling of the White House Christmas tree. 

"What makes this tree so special is that every inch of the 20-foot Fraser fir from [North Carolina] is decorated with red, white, and blue decorations and the ornaments painted for Mrs. Bush and our congressmen," said Chief Bisland. "Standing in its presence, you get a real sense of the honor to be a chosen artist for your state." 

"This was quite an experience and I was proud to represent the 9th RW, the Air Force Reserve, the 940th ARW and all of the Airmen of Beale," he said. 

To view all the state ornaments on the White House Christmas tree by visiting the official White House web site at www.whitehouse.gov.