MARCH 14, 2025 – The Air Force Medical Command achieved its initial operational capability March 12.
This milestone signifies activation or establishment of the Department of Air Force’s newest direct reporting unit headquarters, two intermediate medical readiness commands and six of seven medical wings. Planners are ready to begin aligning medical groups and medical Airmen under AFMEDCOM.
“This is a historic moment,” said Maj. Gen. Sean Collins, AFMEDCOM commander. “It has taken an incredible amount of effort from multiple organizations to reach this point. Our focus is to align our Airmen medics and medical support staff under their respective medical wings while delivering operational medical support to the warfighter will continue.”
DAF planners have been working to establish AFMEDCOM since the concept was approved in 2023. DAF leaders sought to reshape the operational medical capability and support to the warfighter while improving its partnership with the Defense Health Agency to provide quality health care to beneficiaries.
“The readiness mission has always been at the heart of the Air Force Medical Service,” said U.S. Air and Space Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. John DeGoes.
“Anyone can deliver health care, but if we’re in uniform, the health care we deliver and the health care we support must be operationally relevant, on the ground, air or space” U.S. Air and Space Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. John DeGoes
AFMEDCOM represents the DAF’s operational medical capability – medical Airmen who are organized, trained and equipped to be an organic part of the DAF’s warfighting force elements. As the DAF optimizes for enhanced warrior readiness, its medical forces must be ready to provide the required support, DeGoes said.
“Whether at peace or during combat operations, the DAF’s power and strength are unrivaled – it’s fueled by the best military training and equipment, but injuries occur,” said Chief Master Sgt. James Woods, medical enlisted force chief. “Medical Airmen are essential to ensuring Airmen and Guardians are ready to fight and Medical Airmen are responsible for returning injured personnel to the fight so operations may continue. That is the primary focus in all we do … we ensure Airmen and Guardians are ready for operations.”
AFMEDCOM’s primary purpose is focused on the warfighter in garrison and contingency operations and will continue DAF’s partnership with the DHA. This partnership will ensure and enhance readiness for Airmen, Guardians and their families by receiving timely and quality medical care, whether assigned to installations supported by large or small military treatment facilities. It will also support DHA’s congressionally mandated commitments to serve the larger beneficiary population.
AFMEDCOM leadership, working with DAF partners, have established a well-coordinated inter-command transfer sequence. This ICT will align medical Airmen and units into the Command. At final operating capability, AFMEDCOM will be the largest Direct Reporting Unit in DAF, providing command and control of its assigned personnel to execute DAF and Air Force Surgeon General readiness requirements.
“We’re taking a conditions-based approach to ensure the effective transfer of personnel and responsibilities of AFMEDCOM,” DeGoes said. “We’ve had extensive conversations with leadership at all levels. The AFMS is a critical component of readiness and ensuring commanders have the medical support they need in garrison and operationally is essential.”
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs