Feb. 23, 2017 This Month in AFMS History – February 2017 – Establishment of Department of Space Medicine at USAFSAM In 1949, the AFMS began to develop its skills in space medicine, when Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Harry G. Armstrong, the second USAF Surgeon General, inaugurated a program of Air Force medical support to manned space exploration. On February 9, 1949, General Armstrong established the Department of Space