LAJES FIELD, AZORES, Portugal - Ever since it was created during the early years of America's entry into World War II, the airfield on this small island in the northeast Atlantic has been an important crossroads for ships and planes carrying people and cargo to strategic locations throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Today, the son of a Warsaw couple is one of only a little more than 600 U.S. Air Force men and women who operate a sort of "pit stop" for military and commercial aircraft. The small air base is a refueling station where aircrews can get fuel, rest, maintenance and supplies before heading to their final destination.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jose Vuittonet, son of Elvin and Irene Reyes, Ellsworth Drive, Warsaw, is a crew chief with the 65th Operations Support Squadron.
"I support the mission by helping to move iron to and from the fight," said Vuittonet, a 1998 graduate of Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Vuittonet and his fellow airmen are part of the 65th Air Base Wing tasked with playing an important role in the fight against terrorism by assisting with the movement of war fighters, planes and global communications for commanders.
This small base with its huge runway is located on the small island of Terceira in the Azores chain of islands. With rolling hills and green pastures, it's an idyllic setting for such an important mission.
"We act as a 'pit stop' for our aircraft and service members deploying to overseas contingency operations," said Vuittonet.
Although it is 900 miles from the mainland, the Azores is a part of Portugal and contains many of the customs and traditions of that country. From the running of the bulls in the nearby city of Praia da Vitoria just outside of Lajes to the outdoor markets and European-styled houses and farms, the small island gives Americans stationed here a slice of life that is thoroughly European.
"Lajes is a small place with a big upside," said Vuittonet. "The people have been extremely nice and the fishing here is incredible. I get to see the ocean every day."
Assignments to Lajes range from 15 months to 24 months, depending upon whether or not an airman is single or married. As with any overseas location, the experience they take away from here greatly varies from person to person.
"I will remember the time I spent raising my kids on this beautiful island," said Vuittonet.Vuittonet has been in the Air Force for more than 12 years.
Just as their predecessors have done for the past 67 years, Vuittonet and his fellow airmen will continue to be a strategically vital stop between the U.S. and important military missions overseas.
