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| News > Feature - Hispanic Heritage – TSgt Villagomez |
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Tech. Sgt. Ramiro Villagomez is a vehicle operations supervisor assigned to the 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Lajes Field, Azores. Ramiro hails from Quito, Ecuador and has served in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years. (Courtesy Photo)
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Hispanic Heritage – TSgt Villagomez
Posted 9/14/2012 Updated 9/14/2012
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by Staff Sgt Erica Horner
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
9/14/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Each year, Americans observe Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by celebrating Hispanic and Latin American heritage and culture, as well as the contributions they make to the United States Air Force.
This year's Air Force theme is "Diversity United, Building America's Future Today." Recently, one Hispanic-American Lajes Airman had a positive impact not only on the United States but on our international partners.
"Never forget where you came from."
These words have echoed through the mind and life of Technical Sergeant Ramiro Villagomez since he was a young Airman. Born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, Villagomez joined the military in 2000, and was able to use his Hispanic/Latino background to embark on new opportunities.
"I was mainly looking for special duty assignments until I talked to my career advisor, and he mentioned this program to me and said that I would need to be fluent in Spanish," said Villagomez, the vehicle operations supervisor for the 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "I had never heard of it, and got it by the luck of the draw."
The program is the Inter-American Air Force Academy at Lackland Air Force Base.
"IAAFA's main mission is to build relationships and partnerships through Central and South America," said Villagomez, who was the course developer on the IAAFA team." There are 32 courses all in Spanish, and they range from NCOA courses, supply, logistics, intelligence, hydraulics, aircraft training and various other AFSCs."
IAAFA's goal is to use the knowledge and training that Airmen receive from tech school, on-the-job training and up-grade training to teach and improve other host nation's capabilities. They teach four classes throughout the year for armed forces of Central and Southern American, and depending on how many contracts are requesting a single course, they can send out a Mobile Training Team (MTT).
"I got the opportunity to travel with them in a MTT to Colombia, and it was a great experience," said Villagomez who was a SSgt at that time. "I actually got to see what impact we have on other countries.
But his second trip to Colombia was a bit different.
" I thought we were just going to take a look at the program and review their training and OJT records, but when we got there they told us we were going to give a briefing," said Villagomez. "I had to tell the Chief of Staff of the Colombian Air Force how to improve their OJT program. It was very intense, but it made me realize how we affect other people. It was very rewarding."
Villagomez says he still speaks to some of his students and receives emails thanking him for his guidance and leadership.
"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Villagomez, who developed courses for Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile Paraguay, and Canadian forces. I was able to use the skills I already have to improve and impact other nations."
Villagomez wants to ensure that he never forgets where he came from.
"Prior to the military, I worked for the state of Oregon, and one of my duties was to look for migrant children working in the fields and send them to school," said Villagomez.
This position provided a unique opportunity to be an inspiration.
"When you have one of those kids look up to you and think 'I want to learn English and speak to you like that' it makes me appreciate what I have," said Villagomez. "I'm Latino and Hispanic, and I can do things with my life regardless of my background."
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