Air Force Medical Service

Lt. Gen. John DeGoes, U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, and CMSgt. James Woods, Chief, Medical Enlisted Force, visited to the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills, or C-STARS, in Omaha, Nebraska, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nov. 1. The visit to the UNMC was their first as a leadership team. Representatives from the UNMC and U.S. Air Force School of Medicine briefed DeGoes and Woods on the program, which is a collaborative effort between the Air Force and the university, and guided them through a tour of the Negatively Pressurized Conex (NPC) training site at C-STARS. They also visited the UNMC biocontainment unit, where staff provided an overview about the Isolation System for Treatment and Agile Response for high-risk Infections, known as ISTARI, and its prototypes at the Global Center for Health Security. DeGoes and Woods continued discussions with the University of Nebraska’s president, UNMC staff, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, and several congressional representatives on Nov. 2 to discuss the strategic importance of C-STARS and opportunities to increase support for the critical capability. Their meeting was hosted at the University of Nebraska's 2024 Military Appreciation Day football game at Memorial Stadium. To start the game, a member of each service led the Cornhuskers onto the field and a B-1 bomber flew over during the National Anthem.

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David W. Allvin, announced Maj. Gen. Sean Collins as the Air Force Medical Command commander effective Sept. 24, 2024. Prior to his role as AFMEDCOM commander, Collins served as the director of Space Force Medical Operations, a directorate in the Air Force Medical Service he helped establish in 2019. While serving as director, he also was the Air National Guard Assistant to the Surgeon General in Arlington, Virginia. Collins will continue serving in those positions. Collins’ appointment is the latest step in ongoing efforts to establish AFMEDCOM. On Aug. 15, the Secretary of the Air Force authorized the Air Force Medical Agency, a field operating agency, to transition into AFMEDCOM, a direct reporting unit that reports directly to the CSAF. Medical leaders have been taking a deliberate, measured approach in establishing the organization and are currently working to staff the headquarters as well as the intermediate management organizations, Medical Readiness Commands Alpha and Bravo. AFMEDCOM is expected to reach its initial operating capability in spring 2025. Read more details about Collins and his role as AFMEDCOM commander here: https://lnkd.in/euiEdUw5

As the Air Force Medical Service continues its transformation to meet the evolving needs of Airmen and Guardians, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. John J. DeGoes outlined his vision for implementing four AFMS strategic imperatives to ensure their health and medical readiness. DeGoes, who became the Air Force’s 25th surgeon general on July 31, 2024, said addressing the complex challenges of future warfare requires an expansive overhaul of the AFMS and the training of service members within the system. Read the key points of his vision here: https://lnkd.in/ex64D83v

Looking back at October! In this month’s look around the Air Force Medical Service, Maj. Gen. Sean T. Collins assumes command of AFMEDCOM, the 86th Airlift Wing Conducts Guardian Wings 2024, NCANG delivers aid to hurricane victims, Airmen and Soldiers conduct UH-60 Training, the 86th Medical Group trains German SWAT and three Airmen receive Purple Hearts

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In this month’s look around the Air Force Medical Service, Air Force Surgeon General John J. DeGoes is promoted to lieutenant general, AFMS leadership participates in the Air Force Marathon, the ‘STARDOC’ program launches, service members participate in AMISTAD24, NATO allies participate in European Role 1 Development Week, USAFE-AFAAFRICA African partners attend knowledge exchange program, and an Airman receives the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions during the evacuation of Hamid Karzai Airport.

Preventive health is a proactive approach to avoiding illness and disease, addressing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals. With flu season approaching, ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and a global health emergency for Mpox declared by the World Health Organization, the Air Force remains vigilant in ensuring the health and safety of Airmen and their families. This includes active surveillance of respiratory illnesses and the implementation of preventive health measures across Air Force installations. Evidence-based preventive health initiatives vary by installation, depending on local challenges and needs. These practices are woven into readiness requirements for Airmen and Guardians to optimize health and encourage healthy personal habits. Read more details and information about preventive health measures in the Air Force here: https://lnkd.in/eBkrZERc

As we continue to celebrate our 75th anniversary, we'll be highlighting key parts of our history all year. #AFMS75 In 2021, the 2020 Chief Richard L. Etchberger award was granted to the Air Force respiratory care practitioner career field for the incredible achievements made by the enlisted Airmen. The Department of the Air Force award, named after Medal of Honor recipient Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger, recognizes the selfless service of Airmen in an enlisted career field. In 2021, respiratory care practitioners were recognized for their dedication, innovation and critical action amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the award from 2021 here:

Gen. David W. Allvin, Air Force Chief of Staff, promoted Dr. John J. DeGoes to the rank of lieutenant general during a ceremony on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Virginia. The ceremony formalized the Senate’s confirmation of DeGoes on July 31 to the grade and position as the Air Force’s 25th Surgeon General. In this role, DeGoes serves as the chief medical advisor to the Air Force and Space Force. Allvin opened the ceremony by sharing DeGoes’ experience from decades of service while highlighting his numerous leadership experiences from his time as Wilford Hall Medical Center’s chief of internal medicine to his current role as surgeon general. “The basis of leadership is understanding how to do the teaching,” Allvin said. “DeGoes knows his craft. He’s got a broad span of trust that he has built within the leadership apparatus of his experiences.” DeGoes’ portfolio showcases 39 years of continued learning and mastery of his internal medicine specialty within roles that have shaped his ability to lead and command while building community and confidence in readiness capabilities. Read more about the ceremony here: https://lnkd.in/evbvg7JE

Behind the scenes of every spaceflight are hundreds of individuals at NASA who ensure the safety and success of its astronauts from start to finish. One of those individuals is U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Danielle Anderson, the USAF’s first physical therapist stationed at NASA to earn the Silver Snoopy Award for her work providing a range of clinical care to astronauts while supporting research on optimizing human performance during and post-spaceflight. Less than one percent of the aerospace workforce earn a Silver Snoopy Award, an honor that begins with a nomination from an astronaut who acknowledges an individual’s significant contributions to the human space flight program. U.S. Navy Capt. Josh Cassada, a physicist who has been with NASA since 2013, nominated Anderson. During a ceremony, NASA presented Anderson with a sterling silver Snoopy lapel pin that astronauts had flown into space, and gave her a certificate of appreciation and commendation letter signed by Cassada. Anderson has led the Space Medicine Operations Musculoskeletal Medicine and Rehabilitation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, since September 2021. As an Air Force physical therapist embedded in NASA, she views her role as a liaison between the flight surgeons – the primary care providers for astronauts – and the Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, Rehabilitation Group. Ultimately, she oversees the care needed to optimize each astronaut’s condition while collaborating with this interdisciplinary team. Read more about Anderson's incredible achievement and the work she's done here: https://lnkd.in/emYNwC_8