TSgt. Ruben Vasquez with the 36th Medical Operations Squadron at Andersen AFB, Guam, has received the Bronze Star for his work as an independent medic with a 12-man military transition team operating in Iraq. Vazquez had 12 hours notice before deploying, first to Ft. Carson, Colo., where he received training on improvised explosive devices and how to communicate with the Army. His job, embedded with the Army MTT, was to help train Iraqis in his specialty; he also provided medical care to his unit. Vazquez said that he “filled a lot of roles” that are not typical for an Air Force medic.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.