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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 27, 2021 AFMS readiness and the Korean War Each year on July 27th we recognize National Korean War Armistice Day, which marks the anniversary of the day in 1953 when hostilities during the Korean War came to an end.
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.
June 27, 2019 Operation Allied Force and Shining Hope: The making of the new expeditionary AFMS This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Air Force Medical Service’s involvement in Operation Allied Force and the humanitarian support in Operation Shining Hope, and the first deployment of the Air Force’s Expeditionary Medical Support System, or EMEDS.
May 9, 2018 First Chief of the Nurse Corps Verena M. Zeller, the first chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1950. Zeller led the Nurse Corps during the Korean War, overseeing its growth and evolution into an organization focused on flight care.
April 25, 2018 ANZAC Day: A time for honoring partnerships Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day is a time to honor members and reflect on the long-lasting partnership between ANZAC and the Air Force Medical Service, which reaches back to the Korean war when ANZAC and AFMS members worked together as allies. Pictured above, Australian flight