Editor's note: Prior to June 12, 2024, the Air Force Medical Command was referred to as AFMED. The Secretary of Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force signed the Air Force Medical Command Program Action Directive on June 12 authorizing the establishment of the command as a direct reporting unit to the CSAF. Per the PAD, the new organizational structure’s official name is Air Force Medical Command and it is abbreviated AFMEDCOM.
Brig. Gen. Jeannine M. Ryder assumed command of Air Force Medical Agency Bravo during a ceremony on Oct. 16, 2023, at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. The event also served as the redesignation of the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency to the Air Force Medical Agency, or AFMED.
A historic milestone for the Air Force Medical Service, Ryder’s assumption of command marks her as one AFMED’s two regional leads in the largest reorganization in the medical service’s history. Brig. Gen. Thomas Harrell, Defense Health Network Central director, San Antonio Market director, and 59th Medical Wing commander, who also serves as the AFMED Alpha lead.
In Ryder’s previous assignment, she held three roles: 59th Medical Wing commander; market director for the San Antonio Military Health System, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; and, chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps.
During the ceremony, Miller commented on Ryder’s illustrious career as a Nurse Corps officer, which included two deployments.
The redesignation ceremony occurred immediately following Ryder’s assumption of command. Airmen uncased and unveiled the AFMED flag after casing the AFMRA flag. Ryder then delivered remarks acknowledging the uncertainty change can bring and the responsibilities that come with it when building a successful new organization.
AFMED began in its initial operating capability on Oct. 1, 2023, and its mission is to focus on readiness.
Ryder concluded by instructing the uniformed attendees to remove their AFMRA patch as they begin building AFMED’s legacy.
Date Taken: | 10.16.2023 |
Date Posted: | 01.30.2024 11:05 |
Story ID: | 462719 |
Location: | FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, US |
Web Views: | 105 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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