Vasquez assumes command of Medical Group Published June 1, 2014 By Capt. Phillip Cortez 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND -- Col. Ernest Vasquez assumed command of the 433rd Medical Group during an assumption of command ceremony here May 4. Col. Aaron Vangelisti, 433rd Airlift Wing commander, presided of the ceremony at the Wilford Hall Auditorium. "It is such an honor and inspiration to lead such a great group of people," Vasquez said. " Our aim is to be the best medical group not just in the Air Force Reserve Command, but in the entire Air Force." Col. Vasquez enlisted in the Air Force in 1982 and served on active duty as a law enforcement specialist for 11 years. In September 1993, Vasquez was commissioned through the Deserving Airman Commissioning Program and has held a variety of assignments. Some highlights include serving as Chief of Medical Readiness, Chief of Medical Logistics, Chief of information Systems, and Chief of Resource Management. He has deployed numerous times to support several campaigns to include Operation El Dorado Canyon, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "I know that our talent is unmatched and our three squadrons have a continuous and proven record of excellence," Vasquez said to 433rd MDG personnel present. "We are the only medical group in the command that processes over 350 Physical Health Assessments on a single UTA (Unit Training Assembly) and we do it with quality. Providing combat ready forces is our business and we are always ready to deliver." Col. Vasquez was joined at the ceremony by his colleagues, family and friends as well.