Waldroup takes command of 71st Medical Group

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Taylor Crul
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Col. Kirsten Benford relinquished command of the 71st Medical Group to Col. (Dr.) Anthony Waldroup during a change-of-command ceremony held June 15 in the Armed Forces Reserve Center on base.

The ceremony official, Col. Darrell F. Judy, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, signaled the transfer of command by passing the 71st MDG guidon to Waldroup.

Benford retired from active duty during a ceremony held June 16 at the Vance Club.

With the passing of the guidon, Waldroup takes on the responsibility of continuing the medical group’s mission, a responsibility he takes very seriously.

"Colonel Benford and 71st Medical Group have clearly established under her leadership a vector of excellence, and in that role I plan to continue on that vector of excellence," said Waldroup.

Waldroup joins Team Vance from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where he was the chief, Global Patient Movement Requirements Center and senior validating flight surgeon for U.S. Transportation Command.

However, no matter where he goes or what he is doing during his military career there is still a question he asks almost on a daily basis, said Waldroup.

"What is my purpose here?"

For the Airmen of the 71st MDG, Waldroup wants them to ask themselves a more specific question.

"What have you done today to support combat operations?"

The mission of the 71st MDG is to provide primary health care and aerospace physiological training services to the 71st Flying Training Wing and provide trained personnel to support Air Education and Training Command mobility tasking.

The United States Air Force’s continued air superiority and mobility relies directly on what the 71st MDG helps to produce here at Vance Air Force Base, said Waldroup.