Vance AFB 71st Medical Group transitions to DHA Published Oct. 1, 2019 By Airman 1st Class Zoë T. Perkins 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, OK. -- The 71st Medical Operation Squadron was re-designated to the 71st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, September 27. The re-designation ceremony is a part of the medical group’s transition to the Defense Health Agency and marks the formal transition to the new medical group outlined by the Air Force Medical Service by order of the Secretary of the Air Force. “The re-designation at Vance is just changing our name,” said Lt. Col George Hestilow, the squadron commander for the new Operational Medical Readiness Squadron. “We’re going to continue to provide you with that great care you deserve, and with the new Airmen Medical Readiness Optimization initiative, we will be able to apply what we have been doing for the past 40 years with our aviators to all Airmen.” As a part of the re-designation, the squadron will not only change its name to better align with its new focus on active duty readiness, but will also be tailored to five flights, realigning the Family Medicine with the Health Care Operations Squadron and aligning the readiness element under the new Operational Medical Readiness Squadron. “We will continue to provide superior trust and care to the beneficiaries as we have been doing,” said Lt. Col Melissa Beasley, the commander of the Health Care Operations Squadron. The difference is that we plan on having additional opportunities to better serve squadrons on the non-aviators side.” To support the mission, the group provides medical care to all active duty and beneficiaries with four guiding priorities: deliver pilots through trusted care, develop innovative Airmen, deploy combat ready warriors and demonstrate our culture.