Airmen pay tribute to fallen wingman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katie Spencer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  On Dec. 5 at 9:18 a.m., four F-16 fighter jets from the 93rd Fighter Squadron flew over hangar 200 in a freedom arrival recovery formation to honor a fallen colleague and friend.

Lt. Col. Edmundo Velazquez died Nov. 8, when his single-engine, Aero Commander, Model 100 plane he was piloting crashed in the sawgrass swamp north of Interstate 75.

Velazquez served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years.  He started his career as Airman Velazquez, a jet engine mechanic with the 56th Aircraft Generation Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla.  He later served with the 301st Rescue Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Fla. 

Lt. Col. Velazquez received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1992 and was assigned to the 482nd Fighter Wing at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla.

"When I think of the word service, as it pertains to Lt. Col. Velazquez, three words come to mind which accurately depicts the type of person that he truly was; dedication, honor and commitment, "said Lt. Col. Michael Reid, 482nd Maintenance Group commander.

Velazquez served as a transportation officer, supply officer, maintenance operations officer, maintenance operations flight commander and deputy maintenance group commander during his time at HARB.

"It is important to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Lt. Col. Velazquez in a ceremony such as this" said Brig. Gen. William Binger,  482nd Fighter Wing commander. "It allows us to begin the process of gaining closure."

Maj. Vince Cummings, the base Chaplain, shared words of encouragement during the ceremony and Staff Sgt. Johnny Holliday played Taps.

"Lt. Col. Velazquez will long live on in the hearts of his family and his many friends who are with us today," said Reid. "And his good deeds will live on beyond all of us."