Senior Airman Nolgee Vazquez currently serves as a bassist in the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific - Hawaii. Originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, his Air Force career began in November 2016. In 2019, he deployed to the Middle East supporting Operation Inherent Resolve with the pop group Mobility, performing in Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and Egypt as part of the AFCENT Band.
SrA Vazquez graduated from Libre de Música School Ernesto Ramos Antonini in San Juan, PR in 2009. Before joining the USAF, SrA Vazquez was studying at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. His teachers include Gabriel Rodriguez, Pedro Perez, and Eddie Gomez. In 2008, he won an audition to be part of FOSJA (Festival of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Americas) and had the opportunity to perform with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra along with many distinguished young musicians from the entire island, under the direction of Roselin Pabon. Prior to his enlistment, SrA Vazquez had the opportunity to perform with Jazz Trumpet Artist Charlie Sepulveda, Jerry Rivera and many other Latin American artists. He also worked for many urban artists, such as Latin Grammy Award winner Farruko and Latin Grammy Nominee Ivy Queen.
SrA Vazquez is currently assigned to our jazz band as bassist, as well as our rock band, where he serves as the bassist and musical director.
EDUCATION
2009 High School Diploma - Escuela Libre de Musica Ernesto Ramos Antonini de San Juan
ASSIGNMENTS
November 2016 - Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
February 2017- September 2021 USAF Band of the Golden West Travis AFB, California
September 2021 – Present, USAF Band of the Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
1. Air Force Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
2. Meritorious Unit Award
3. Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
4. AF Good Conduct Medal
5. National Defense Service Medal
6. Afghanistan Campaign Medal
7. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
8. Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
9. Air and Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
10. Air and Space Longevity Service Award
11. USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
12. Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2019 Airman of the 1st Quarter
2021 Musician of the 4th Quarter
2023 Musician of the Year
2024 Musician of the 1st Quarter
2024 Airman of the 1st Quarter
2024 Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs Airman of the 1st Quarter
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class - February 2017
Senior Airman - March 2019
(current as of Sep 2024)