1 Feb 2019

Black History Month: WAC Corporal Lena Derriecott served as a nurse assistant in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II

During World War II, Cpl. Lena Derriecott learned a hard lesson about segregation in the U.S. military. Derriecott, an African-American woman, volunteered in 1943 for the U.S. Army Air Corps Women’s Army Corps. She reported for duty at Douglas Army Air Field in southern Arizona where she served as a nurse assistant at the base hospital.

4 Jan 2019

From Just Cause to Iraqi Freedom: Nurse recounts time through three wars

U.S. Air Force Capt. Carol Vermillion felt no fear while flying to Panama in December 1989 as part of Operation Just Cause, the first of three conflicts where she served as a nurse. “I was more excited and anxious,” recalled Vermillion, who retired as a colonel. “I felt more a part of the Air Force.”

15 Nov 2018

This Month in AFMS History: First Space Medicine Symposium

On November 12, 1948, Air Force Brig. Gen. Harry Armstrong, commandant of the School of Aviation at Randolph Field, Texas, convened the first Air Force symposium on space medicine.

8 Nov 2018

76 years ago: Remembering medical support for Operation Torch

Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, hit the beaches 76 years ago on Nov. 8, 1942, including an American force led by Maj. Gen. George S. Patton that invaded the French protectorate in Morocco. With Patton was Lt. Samuel T. Moore, a flight surgeon with the 81st Fighter Group, who kept a diary of his actions.

26 Oct 2018

This Month in AFMS History: Twenty years ago, AF medical team responds to Hurricane Mitch in Honduras

The 24th Medical Group at Howard Air Force Base, Panama, was a month away from decommissioning and returning to the U.S. when Hurricane Mitch slammed into Honduras on October 29, 1998.

14 Sep 2018

This Month in AFMS History: Kirtland opens first joint Air Force and VA health clinic

On Sept. 8, 1989, the 377th Medical Group cut the ribbon on a joint Air Force and Department of Veterans Affairs clinic located on the VA campus in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico.

30 Aug 2018

This Month in AFMS History: Air Force dentists responded to 1981 explosion at Ramstein Air Base

Two bombs exploded in a parking lot outside the U.S. Air Forces in Europe headquarters building at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on August 31, 1981, injuring 15 people. When they heard the blasts, Air Force dentists and their staff ran out to help.

6 Jul 2018

This Month in AFMS History: The air transportable “Flying Lung”

On July 23, 1953, Airman Third Class Warren Beatty of Detroit, Michigan, became the first iron lung patient evacuated by air from the Korean War theater.

7 Mar 2018

This Month in AFMS History: 75th Anniversary of the first body armor suits delivered to Eighth Air Force

During World War II, small fragments of high-explosive shells traveling at relatively low velocities caused the majority of bomber air and ground crew casualties.

17 Nov 2017

This Month in AFMS History: 60th anniversary of Lackland Air Force Base hospital dedication

Sixty years ago, in November 1957, Lackland Air Force Base dedicated its new, nine-story, 500-bed hospital, making it the largest hospital in the Air Force.