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  SMSgt. Andy Vasquez (Ret.)

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Name SMSgt. Andy Vasquez (Ret.)
Country
Unit 55th Fighter Squadron "Fightin' Fifty Fifth"
Crewing F-16s
Contact sulfer732 Send me a private message
Website
First started off at Moody AFB, GA. The base was loaded with Vipers as a result of hurricane Andrew, and the 347th was in the process of transferring a lot of them out to Ramstein, Aviano and various other locations. Just prior to my arrival the 70th was temporarily deactivated. The active squadrons were the 68th, 69th, 307th and the 308th. The 308th soon closed it's doors at Moody and transferred the flag to Luke. Some time in '95 (can't remember exactly) the 307th deactivated all together and then there were two Units. I had the pleasure of starting off in the 307th Stingers, and when we deactivated all the manpower was farmed out between the 68th Lightning Lancers and 69th Werewolves. I went to the 69th. Shortly thereafter the tailbands were changed from the solid silver band to the black band with a red border containing WEREWOLVES in white.
I moved on to Kunsan in '97 and enjoyed it. It was not as bad as all the "oldheads" made it seem. I worked in the 80th FS. My follow-on to Luke was a good time. I primarily worked swings and expedited a good bit. I worked with quite an amazing crew when I first got there. Spent 4 years there, then I was selected to be a part of the Thunderbirds. Again...4 years well spent.
I returned to the Kun, but unfortunately I was not assigned to either of the AMU's there. I was the Mx Group Manning Manager in the 8th MOS.
Upon returning from Korea, I moved straight into a production position as an expediter for TAMS "A" Flight in the 62nd AMU at Luke AFB, AZ. I drove the truck for two years at the Spikes.
I was then assigned as the Functional Check Flight/Weight & Balance Manager/Maintenance Standardization Evaluation Program (MSEP) Manager for QA in the 56MXG at Luke AFB. Also did APG Section Chief, Production Superintendent and Lead Production Superintendent at the 62d.
My stay at Luke culminated as the Lead Production Superintendent in the 309th AMU, Wild Ducks.
Was assigned to the 55 AMU as the Assistant Superintendent at Shaw AFB, SC. Moved to Headquarters 9 AF As Superintendent , Directorate of Logistics/A4. Retired from Active Duty in August 2019.

Current or Favourite assignment

While assigned to the Thunderbirds, I had the opportunity to travel all over the U.S., U.S. Territories and 6 foreign countries.
I worked on swingshift my first six months on the team. For the 2003 show season I was a QA inspector. I was the DCC for T-Bird #2 throughout the 2004 season. 2005 was the best ever. I was afforded the opportunity to fly in the backseat of my own jet on a regular basis. I was the #8 DCC Advance Crew Chief. Not many folks out there in the present day can say that they were a Fighter Jet Flying Crew Chief. I can. It was awesome. After being on the showline for two years I worked in the Phase Inspection Section for the remainder of my time on the team in effort to stay profficient and make sure I was ready for my upcoming assignment in Korea. I was originally allocated to work in the Phase docks there, but I was PCA'd to MOS before I arrived.

Deployments

I participated in several deployments while assigned to Moody. These deployments were in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. They included multiple trips to locations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
I even deployed from Luke in 2001. I augmented the Crash Recovery team at Prince Sultan AB, KSA. I was also charged with running the wheel and tire element. We tore down, inspected and built wheel and tire assemblies for F-16's BLK30 (Split wheel) & 50 (Flange) style, F-15C (Split wheel), F-15E (Flange), RAF Tornado's, RC-135, KC-135, and C-130's. Not a bad gig. During the slow periods, I assisted the F-15 and KC-135 R&R guys with some of their work.
Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

My Jets & Assignments

89095 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 307th Fighter Squadron "Stingers" [Unit History]
Period 1993 - 1994
Current: 89095   USAF 68 FS F-16C Block 40 [ w/o]
I am actually in this photo with 2095. We won the Proud Falcon Award... beat the Wing King! If you ever worked on 2095, you understand what a feat it was to accomplish that!
89055 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 69th Fighter Squadron "Werewolves" [Unit History]
Period 1994 - 1995
Current: 89055   USAF 35 FS F-16C Block 40 [ act]
89013 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 69th Fighter Squadron "Werewolves" [Unit History]
Period 1995 - 1997
Current: 89013   USAF 35 FS F-16C Block 40 [ act]
86334 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats" [Unit History]
Period 1997 - 1998
Current: 86334   USAF 93 FS F-16C Block 30 [ act]
90732 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 308th Fighter Squadron "Emerald Knights" [Unit History]
Period 1998 - 2002
Current: 90732   USAF 314 FS F-16C Block 42 [ act]
87323 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit USAF - Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" [Unit History]
Period 2003 - 2004
Current: 87323   F-16C Block 32 [ pre]
Thunderbird #2 DCC
86039 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit USAF - Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" [Unit History]
Period 2004 - 2005
Current: 86039   USAF 82 TRW F-16D Block 32 [ i/a]
Thunderbird #8 DCC/Advance Crew Chief
Unit USAF - Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" [History]
Period 2005 - 2006
Asst Phase Dock Chief
Unit 8 MXG/MOS Manpower Manager
Period 2006 - 2007
Managed a database capable of reporting Gains, Losses and shortfalls in maintenance personnel assigned to Kunsan. Interesting and fast paced job. I will never bad mouth another nonner for the rest of my career.... maybe
Unit 62nd Fighter Squadron "Spikes" [History]
Period 2007 - 2009
A-Section Crew Chief Expediter "Spike 3"
Other aircraft/assignments Nothing official, but I did assit in replacing a KC-135 Nose gear and spoilers. Also did a lot of F-15 Flt Control surfaces, inlet ramps, canopies and other R&R jobs.

Was assigned as the Functional Check Flight, Weight & Balance and Maintenance Standardization Evaluation Program (MSEP) Manager for the 56MXG from August '09 to Jan '12 at Luke AFB, AZ.

Aircraft Section NCOIC (Section Chief) for the 62nd AMU Crew Chiefs and Production Superintendent. Culminated my stay at Luke as the Lead Pro Super for the 309th AMU Wild Ducks.

Assigned to the Fighting Fifty-Fifth Shooters at Shaw AFB as AMU Assistant Superintendent In 2015, and in 2017 moved to Headquarters 9 AF as Superintendent of the Directorate of Logistics / A4. Retired from Active Duty in August 2019.
Visitor Comments
long time
Gerry Gonzales, Dec 19, 2009 - 09:47 AM

Its been ages man what's up? Look me up if you wanna talk but don't call at 2 dark thirty.JK

(none)
Ana Ng, Sep 20, 2010 - 03:34 AM

miss you.

The Cheese Cake Factory!!!!!
nakoa61f16, Nov 03, 2010 - 12:36 PM

Do you remember when we went to Dhahran KSA and we ate the whole Cheese cake in one setting????

sulfer732, Nov 27, 2010 - 04:19 PM

I sure do! I remember we paid some serious cash for that cake! Who is this?

Is it really you
Beau Simmons, Feb 03, 2017 - 01:26 AM

Is this the Andy that roomed with Billy Goat at Moody?







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