DGMC greets new leader Published June 5, 2012 By James Spellman 60th Medical Group Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A noticeable hoisting of temperatures brought about seasonal change to the 60th Medical Group following a change-of-command ceremony held Wednesday at David Grant USAF Medical Center. The medics of the Air Force's flagship hospital bade fair winds and following seas to their former commander, known for his affinity toward anything pirate, while welcoming aboard their new commander. With the time-honored phrase "Sir, I assume command," Col. (Dr.) Kevin Connelly accepted the ceremonial guidon from Col. Dwight Sones, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, becoming the 36th medical group commander at Travis. The tradition marks 69 years of continuous medical care since the winds of war first brought Lt. Col. (Dr.) Archibald Laird here as commander of the original 4167th Hospital Station at Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base in July 1943. As the recent commander of the 366th Medical Group, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Connolly oversaw one of the most capable small medical facilities in the Air Force, providing comprehensive, community-based medical services to 26,000 customers. He managed more than $52.5 million in equipment and facilities including two air transportable clinics. The outgoing 60th MDG commander, Col. (Dr.) Brian Hayes, sails off into the sunset of retirement after 22 years of service, concluding a three-year cruise at DGMC where he first began his medical career as an intern in general surgery in 1990 after graduating from the University of Miami. During his time at the helm, Hayes brought "the power of a Flagship, the technology of a starship and the camaraderie of a pirate ship" to the shores of Travis. "Within these hallowed walls, we care for our nation's most deserving, those military warriors and veterans who swore an oath to defend our country with their lives, and their families who served with them," Hayes said. "They are our national treasure, truly deserving of the best care anywhere." "I could not have sailed the seven seas without a better crew," he said. "We have been to the ends of the Earth and back. We have cheated Davy Jones and brought the dead back to life. I know Gen. David Grant is smiling down on us right now and could not be prouder of what you have accomplished for our grateful nation." The changing of the colors at DGMC will not leave the medical center rudderless. As the incoming "Skipper" of the Flagship hospital in the Air Force, Connolly brings a boatload of skills to the medical team. A below-the-zone colonel in 2008, Connolly graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1995 and subsequently completed a family practice residency at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Following this, he held positions as the flight medicine flight commander at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, and the aerospace medicine flight commander at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. While at Incirlik, he directed flight medicine support for Operation Northern Watch and Incirlik's aeromedical evacuation process for Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003, Connolly earned his Master's degree in Public Health from Harvard University. He then completed the USAF residency in aerospace medicine in 2004 and the USAF occupational medicine residency in 2005. Following this he served as the commander, 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, from July 2005 to June 2007. While at Misawa, he also served as chief of aerospace medicine. Connolly graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 2009. Prior to attendance at ICAF, he served as the National Defense University Physician at Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C. from July 2007 to August 2008. Originally from Mount Sinai, N.Y., Colonel Connolly received his USAF commission through the Health Professions Scholarship Program in 1991.