On Jan. 30, 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin R. Lucero, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel King and Senior Master Sergeant Kelly Dugan, members of the 161st Aerial Refueling Wing, Goldwater Air National Guard Base, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona, presented 100-year-old WWII veteran T/5 Joe G. Vasquez a shadow box containing the United States flag and the State of Arizona flag along with a certificate that reads as follows:
“This certifies that these flags were flown onboard a KC-135 Stratotanker, Callsign Copper 01, on 17 January 2024, over the skies of Arizona during a training mission refueling a EC-130-H Callsign Batt 01. Let all who look upon these flags be reminded of the military men and women who maintain a steadfast devotion to protecting the freedoms they represent.”
During that flight, the aircraft commander was Colonel Jessica L. Hastings, who is also the wing commander. The pilot was Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Lopes, and the boom operator was Senior Master Sergeant Hilario Sanchez Jr.
Vasquez was born and raised in Globe, and proudly served his country in World War II. He turned 100 on January 14.
