March 29, 2025 AFMS honors Vietnam War Veterans Day, advancements in AE from the battlefields of Vietnam By the summer of 1968, involvement of the AFMS in the Vietnam War rose to an all-time high to support operations in Southeast Asia. About 1,900 Air Force medics were deployed in the region, representing about 5 percent of the 41,000 military personnel assigned to the AFMS worldwide.
March 25, 2025 AFMS celebrates National Medal of Honor Day, remembering Col. Bernard F. Fisher The Air Force Medical Service celebrates National Medal of Honor Day, March 25, 2025, and honors the legacy of U.S. Air Force Col. Bernard F. Fisher.
Nov. 25, 2024 Honoring the legacy of Malcolm Grow The 316th Wing Medical Group gathered to celebrate the legacy of Maj. Gen. Malcolm C. Grow at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 19, 2024.
Aug. 23, 2024 Airman returns World War II artifacts back to Japan Lt. Col. Cichon's mission to return these artifacts reflects the United States' unwavering commitment to its allies. The dedication he demonstrated in ensuring these artifacts reached Japan is a testament to the values of respect, understanding, and cooperation that underpin U.S. foreign relations.
Aug. 14, 2024 Historical profile: AFGSC’s modernization keeps U.S. safe with 24/7 global presence While every command has a proud history and heritage, Air Force Global Strike Command’s legacy - and the medical professionals who have supported its mission - has been of special consequence to the defense of the United States.
July 25, 2024 Historical profile: AFMS Airmen enable AFDW’s global impact The Air Force District of Washington was originally established as Bolling Field Command in December 1946 by the Headquarters Army Air Forces to serve as the single manager for assets in and around the nation’s capital.
July 1, 2024 Celebrating 75 years of the Air Force Medical Service On July 1st, the Air Force Medical Service celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its long history of providing medical support to the Department of the Air Force.
March 29, 2024 412th MDG Airman completes 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death March in honor of grandfather The granddaughter of a survivor of the Bataan Death March during World War II, completes the Memorial Death March in his honor.
March 25, 2024 First Bath, Last Breath No barriers have been broken, and no pioneering firsts have been achieved. I don’t fly planes, and I don’t load bombs. Feeling like a legitimate Airman can be challenging when I am not calling in air strikes or digesting endless streams of intel footage.
March 19, 2024 Passion-driven leadership: Col. Gwendolyn Foster talks meaningful mentorship, balance, and her drive to serve authentically “Be your authentic self” is a mantra Col. Gwendolyn Foster, Director of Staff for the Air Force Surgeon General, has repeated during her 22-year Air Force career while striving to find balance between perusing new heights in uniform while remaining passionate about her work.
Feb. 28, 2024 Tuskegee medics overcome barriers, leave lasting impact on Air Force medicine The policies of the armed services in World War II reflected the stresses and contradictions of segregated American society of the time, and historical records show the Army Air Forces and its medical service were no exception.
Jan. 4, 2024 JBSA-Fort Sam Houston street renamed after Civil War surgeon-Soldier “William Hardee Road” at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is being renamed as “Letterman Road”, in memory of U.S. Army Maj. (Dr.) Jonathan Letterman, known as the "Father of Modern Battlefield Medicine."
July 28, 2023 Remembering the Great Flood of 1993 Responding to flood disasters is nothing new for the U.S. Air Force and the Mobility Air Forces in particular. However, 30 years ago this summer, the Illinois and Missouri region suffered one of the most devastating flood events in history: The Great Flood of 1993.
May 5, 2023 A look back at the Air Force’s evolving physical fitness standards May is National Physical Fitness Month and the Air Force Medical Service has been concerned about the fitness and overall readiness of its members throughout its history.
March 28, 2023 AE innovation at Remagen during WWII Aeromedical evacuations are a key component in modern warfare, but as Allies fought their way into Germany during World War II, U.S. service members explored innovative solutions to transport patients to field hospitals while reducing the logistical footprint.
Feb. 7, 2023 From the battlefield to the football field: Air Force surgeon’s skills knows no bounds On January 2nd, when many football fans were watching the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Lt. Col. Valerie Sams, an Air Force surgeon, was on call at UC Health’s University of Cincinnati Medical Center not knowing what she was about to face.
Nov. 18, 2022 A look back at the AFMS response in Jonestown, Guyana In an operation that began on November 18, 1978, the Air Force Medical Service responded to a disaster situation unlike any others before it.
Nov. 3, 2022 The “Human Bomb”: How Air Force surgeons made medical history in Vietnam On November 5, 1965, Air Force surgeons were confronted with a bomb, literally. But instead of coming face-to-face with a device, they were confronted with a patient who had a live grenade embedded in his back, essentially making the patient a walking human bomb.
Oct. 28, 2022 A look back at the attack on the USS Cole On the morning of October 12, 2000, the USS Cole, a guided-missile destroyer, docked at the Port of Aden off the coast of Yemen for refueling. In a small boat, a suicide bomber approached the destroyer, detonated alongside, which left a 40 to 60-foot hold on the port side of the ship.
Sept. 26, 2022 Despite injuries, heroic flight nurse maintains grace under pressure Jonita Bonham began her military career as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. She served in the Philippines and Japan after World War II and then returned to the United States, resigning from active military duty.