Kathryn Van Der Linden

The 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron (332 EMDSS/CC) is a unit within the United States Air Force, typically assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. The squadron has provided vital medical support and healthcare services during various operations in the Middle East, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. Its mission includes delivering expeditionary medical care, aeromedical evacuation, and force health protection for deployed forces. The 332 EMDSS/CC has played a crucial role in sustaining the health and readiness of airmen and coalition partners in austere and often hostile environments.

The 17th Air Force Surgeon General (17 AF/SG) served as the principal medical authority for the 17th Air Force, also known as Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA). Activated in 2008, the 17 AF/SG oversaw medical readiness, health service support, and force health protection for U.S. Air Force personnel operating across the African continent. The unit coordinated with joint and coalition partners to deliver medical support for humanitarian missions, contingency operations, and exercises throughout U.S. Africa Command’s area of responsibility. The 17 AF/SG’s mission concluded in 2012 when the 17th Air Force was inactivated, and its responsibilities were absorbed by other Air Force medical organizations.

The 759th Medical Support Squadron Commander (759 MDSS/CC) serves as the leadership position for the 759th Medical Support Squadron, a unit that provides essential medical logistics, administration, and support services to ensure mission readiness. The squadron is a component of the 59th Medical Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and plays a critical role in sustaining both peacetime and contingency medical operations. Throughout its history, the 759 MDSS has supported a wide range of operations, from daily healthcare delivery to deployment support, enabling the medical group to care for thousands of Airmen and their families. The squadron continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, contributing significantly to Air Force medical capabilities both at home and abroad.

433rd Airlift Wing

U.S. Air Force

The 433rd Airlift Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force Reserve Command based at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. It is one of the largest units in the Air Force Reserve, with approximately 2,500 personnel. The wing operates and maintains C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft, which are used for strategic airlift missions around the world. The 433rd Airlift Wing plays a vital role in supporting military operations and humanitarian missions.

The Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA), reporting to the Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG), was established to oversee the execution of Air Force medical policies and optimize healthcare delivery across Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) facilities. Activated in 1992, AFMOA provided expert consultation, program management, and support for medical operations, readiness, and policy implementation. The agency played a key role in ensuring the medical readiness of Air Force personnel and improving the quality of care for service members and their families. In 2019, as part of Air Force medical service restructuring, AFMOA was inactivated and its functions were integrated into other AFMS entities.

The 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (86th AES) is a unit of the United States Air Force, currently based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Activated in 1994, the squadron traces its lineage to earlier aeromedical units supporting U.S. and NATO operations in Europe. The 86th AES specializes in providing rapid aeromedical evacuation and in-flight medical care for wounded or ill personnel, operating primarily across the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility. The unit has played a vital role in numerous humanitarian missions, contingency operations, and the Global War on Terror, continuously enhancing patient survivability and supporting allied operations worldwide.

82nd Training Wing

U.S. Air Force

The **82nd Training Wing**, based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, traces its heritage to World War II as the 82nd Fighter Group, renowned for its combat operations in the Mediterranean Theater. Reactivated and redesignated over the years, the unit assumed its current training mission in 1948, focusing on technical and vocational education for Air Force personnel. Today, the 82nd Training Wing is the largest technical training wing in the U.S. Air Force, providing instruction in aircraft maintenance, civil engineering, and logistics. Its graduates support global Air Force missions, making the wing a crucial component in sustaining operational readiness and excellence.

The 97th Flying Training Wing (97th FTW) traces its origins to World War II, where its predecessor units participated in strategic bombing campaigns over Europe. Reactivated in various roles throughout the Cold War, the 97th operated heavy bombers and later aerial refueling aircraft, contributing significantly to U.S. Air Force global reach. In 1992, the unit was redesignated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing and relocated to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Today, as the 97th Flying Training Wing, it serves as the primary training center for Air Force mobility aircrew, specializing in instruction for the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and KC-46 Pegasus.

436th Airlift Wing

U.S. Air Force

The 436th Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. It is responsible for providing global airlift, combat airlift support, aeromedical evacuation, and humanitarian relief missions. The wing operates the C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for its missions. The 436th Airlift Wing has a long history of supporting military operations and delivering critical supplies and personnel around the world.

The 59th Medical Support Group, Detachment SGA (59 MDSG/SGA) is a key component of the 59th Medical Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. This unit provides essential medical logistics, readiness, and administrative support to ensure seamless healthcare operations across the largest medical wing in the U.S. Air Force. Over its history, 59 MDSG/SGA has played a vital role in supporting global and domestic missions, ensuring medical personnel and resources are prepared for rapid deployment. Through its efforts, the unit has contributed significantly to the Air Force’s medical readiness and patient care capabilities.

DoD/HA TRO-West, officially known as the Department of Defense/Health Affairs Tricare Regional Office-West, was established to manage and coordinate military health care services across the western United States. Since its inception, TRO-West has played a critical role in overseeing the delivery of medical care to active-duty service members, retirees, and their families, ensuring access to quality healthcare through the TRICARE program. The unit has adapted to the evolving needs of the Armed Forces, supporting deployments, humanitarian missions, and medical readiness across its vast area of responsibility. Over the years, TRO-West has collaborated closely with military treatment facilities, civilian providers, and other regional offices to uphold the health and wellbeing of the military community in the western region.