April 3, 2023 Echoes of Vietnam: An Air Force family legacy Maj. Gen. Sharon Bannister accompanied Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to The Wall at the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial to pay respects and conduct a commemorative paper rubbing of the engraving of her father’s name, as well as other names.
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.
Nov. 1, 2022 AFRL celebrates unified science and technology enterprise The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, recognized the 25th anniversary of one AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2022.
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.
Sept. 23, 2022 Remembering Flying Tiger Flight 923 Flying Tiger Flight 923 may not be a well-known story; however, it is a story military history should never let die. As the Air Force celebrates its 75th anniversary, now is the best time to look back and reflect on aviation moments like this.
Sept. 16, 2022 Air Force medical history of POWs; Operation Homecoming The year 1973 saw the end of the Vietnam conflict. Securing the safe release of American Prisoners of War was a vital concern for U.S. leadership, as was the physical and mental well-being of those returning.
Sept. 1, 2022 AFRL professionals share inspirational talks during livestreamed event The Air Force Research Laboratory hosted its sixth annual AFRL Inspire, the lab's TEDx-style event, at the Air Force Institute of Technology's Kenney Hall at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Aug. 23, 2022.
March 28, 2022 AFMS looks at role on National Vietnam War Veterans Day Each year on March 29 the nation honors the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans for National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This date marks the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, on March 29, 1973.
March 14, 2022 Air Force women's history: First commissioned female physician On March 14, 1951, Capt. (Dr.) Dorothy Armstrong Elias became the first woman physician sworn into the Air Force and now a part of women's history month.
March 2, 2022 Retired Lt. Col. paved way for military mothers For most, becoming a mother is a time for celebration, not discrimination. However, a new policy in 1975 allowed women to continue to serve while pregnant and after giving birth.
Jan. 5, 2022 With 2022’s arrival, U.S. Air Force gears up to commemorate its 75th anniversary Seventy-five years after the Air Force’s birth on Sept. 18, 1947, the spirit of innovation that has driven the service was on display when a B-2 Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing, located at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, roared over the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Oct. 29, 2021 Air Force adoption of water fluoridation in 1954 led to dental improvements On September 22, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force posted images to its social media page as part of a story about one of the crewmembers of Lt. Col. Charles “Deacon” Miller’s B-29, Deacon’s Disciples II.
Sept. 15, 2021 16 years later; A look back at the AFMS response to Hurricane Katrina The Air Force Medical Service played a significant role in the federal response to the devastation wrecked upon the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 and her successor, Rita, three weeks later.
July 1, 2021 The Hawley Board and the establishment of the Air Force Medical Service The Air Force Medical Service celebrates its 72nd birthday on July 1 thanks in part to the “Hawley Board” and the “Hoover Commission,” the earliest joint panels that advocated for greater centralization within the Military Health System.
Feb. 1, 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.
Jan. 4, 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.
Nov. 15, 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.
Nov. 8, 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