Growing up in a destination that most people dream of visiting, one Airman’s father wanted nothing but the best for his son, he wanted to give him the opportunity to live the American dream.

Staff Sgt. Angel Moquete, 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron air adviser, was born on the Island of Dominican Republic.

“My father had a great job, but when you are living in a developing country and you know the United States is the best country in the world, why wouldn’t you want to start a life there,” Moquete said. 

He was six years old when he moved to the United States and settled in California.

Throughout his childhood Moquete continued to travel to the Dominican Republic almost every summer to visit his family and friends.

While he was a teenager Moquete attended a Military Academy in San Luis Obispo, for seven months and that’s where his military career began.

“The instructors at the academy were all military and they help shape my decision,” Moquete said. “I knew if I went home at the time, I would have continued going down the wrong path.”

Moquete would go on to join the Air Force as a security forces defender where his first base would be Special Operations command Hurlburt Field, Florida.  

While stationed at Hurlburt Field, he became part of a unit called the Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element. They help provide enhanced security for Air Force Special Operations Command and special operations forces aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or inadequate. He also advised the mission commander on force protection measures, conducted FP surveys, provide close-in security and assist with SOF led protective service operations.

Across the Air Force, only four bases maintain DAGRE teams for mission operations. Training is offered twice per year and class sizes are limited, ultimately meaning that only the best of the best are selected for consideration to become DAGRE members.

On his mission to be considered for a 571st Air Adviser slot, Moquete volunteered to attend training to be a Phoenix Raven which are also a select group of defenders.

Also known as Ravens, the small group of specialized security forces Airmen perform as members of a force protection team assigned to deploy with DoD aircraft to austere environments. Airmen are trained to perform as teams to detect, deter, and counter threats to personnel and aircraft at deployed locations by performing close-in aircraft security and advising aircrew on force protection measures.

Some of the countries he’s traveled to while in the MSAS are Peru, Mali, San Salvador El Salvador and Guatemala.

“I’ve been really blessed throughout my military career,” he said. “Not many people get the opportunity to take part in programs such as these and have the opportunity to travel the world, try to make a difference and have fun while doing it.”

When he was a young Airmen he joked with his friends about having the opportunity to return to the Dominican Republic and participate in a mission, but he didn’t imagine it becoming a reality.

“Being a part of the 571^st MSAS first ever trip to the Dominican Republic was amazing, I couldn’t believe I was there,” Moquete said. “It was truly a humbling experience having the chance to work with my SF counterparts. I felt like we had so much in common and we could relate to each other, it was amazing.”

While in the Dominican Republic he was part of the MSAS mobile training team that trained their military on security forces tactics such as, close quarters training, team movements and communication, proper searching and handcuffing procedures and de-escalation procedures.

The MSAS will continue engaging with the Dominican Republic supporting U.S. Southern Command objectives. Moquete has been newly selected to be the country’s Team Seargent for all future engagements. 

“My family is just as shocked as I am and they are very proud of me,” he said. “My father is a very accomplished person and he came here and wanted me to have a better life, and I’m trying to make him proud.”