Biography of Colonel Joseph R. Vazquez:
Colonel Joseph R. Vazquez joined Civil Air Patrol in June of 1975 as a cadet in the Warner Robins Composite Squadron near
Macon,
Georgia.
While a cadet he earned the Earhart award, attended two national cadet activities, and served as cadet squadron commander.
He became a senior member while attending the
University of
Georgia, where he graduated in 1983 with a bachelor of science in both psychology and computer science.
During college, he was Deputy Commander for Cadets of the Athens Composite Squadron in
Georgia, and earned an observer and ground team leader ratings.
In 1984 he started work with E.I. Dupont and transferred to the Augusta Composite Squadron in
Georgia.
Colonel Vazquez learned to fly in 1985, qualified as a CAP mission pilot in 1986, and as a flight instructor /CAP check pilot in 1987.
Colonel Vazquez moved into Middle East Region (MER) in 1988, serving as Vice Commander of the Parkersburg Composite Squadron in
West Virginia.
In 1989 he moved to
South Carolina, where he was appointed Group 2 Commander in South Carolina Wing.
From 1990 to 1992, he was Commander of the Wicomico Composite Squadron in Maryland Wing, earning
Maryland’s 1991 senior member of the year award and 1992 commander of the year award.
He was next appointed Group 1 Commander in November 1992 on Maryland Wing’s Eastern Shore, and moved to
Richmond
Virginia in April 1993.
During his tenure with Virginia Wing, Colonel Vazquez served in the capacity of Wing Director of Senior Programs, Group 4 Commander, Wing Standardization/Evaluation Officer, Wing Director of Operations and Wing Vice Commander.
He received the Distinguished Service Medal as Commander of Virginia Wing (2001-2002) and was appointed Vice Commander of Middle East Region in March 2003.
He served as vice chairman of the CAP National Operations Committee during his term with region and was appointed National CAP Director of Operations in February 2007 and National Operations Advisor in January 2008.
While on the National staff he completely rewrote CAP’s flying regulation (CAPR 60-1), reducing it in size from 70 to 14 pages.
On May 19th 2008, Colonel Vazquez was appointed Commander of Middle East Region.
Colonel Vazquez currently holds the Emergency Service specialties of Incident Commander, Air Branch Director, Mission Pilot, Observer, and Check Pilot Examiner.
He is a CAP command pilot with 2,800 hours logged and has a commercial multiengine pilot’s license with instrument flight instructor rating.
He is also a glider instructor and tow pilot.
Colonel Vazquez completed the highest level of CAP’s senior member program and received the Gil Rob Wilson award in November 2000.
Colonel Vazquez moved from Dupont to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in 1997 and is presently an Operations Manager with CSC’s North American Service Restoration Team.
He is a past-master of
Temple
Lodge #9, Virginia Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and is also a general class amateur radio operator, call sign N4YYA.
Colonel Joe Vazquez is married to another CAP member, Lt Colonel Leslie Vazquez, who is CAP’s National Standardization/Evaluation Advisor.