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.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…