VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- “A medically ready force is a ready medical force,” said Lt. Gen. Dorothy A. Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General.
Hogg visited Vance AFB Oct. 14, 2020, to oversee and support the readiness of the Air Force’s medical service here.
Hogg leads matters pertaining to the medical aspects of the Air Force, supports worldwide medical service missions and ensures the health of Airmen.
“Readiness is job number one,” said Hogg, “The only reason we have medics serving in uniform is to go to war.”
Hogg defines readiness as maintaining ready medical Airmen who are well trained, well equipped and clinically current, supporting combatant commanders anywhere in the world.
While at Vance, Hogg visited all areas of the 71st Medical Group to see how they fulfill the mission of the Air Force Medical Service by ensuring medically fit forces, providing expeditionary medics and delivering trusted care.
“Oftentimes our small bases are not given the recognition they deserve,” said Hogg. “I’m a visual person, so coming to Vance and seeing the mission will help us to understand and better support where we can.”
While visiting, Hogg recognized several Airmen for their outstanding performance: Master Sgt. Michael Feggans, superintendent for the 71st Healthcare Operations Squadron; Capt. Edward Bylotas, a clinical social worker for the 71st Operations Medical Readiness Squadron; Capt. Brandon Willis, medical logistics flight commander for the 71st HCOS; and Staff Sgt. Jessica Danzeisen, logistics technician for the 71st HCOS.
“I have the honor and privilege to brag on all the great things they’re doing,” said Hogg. “They are so incredibly smart and innovative.”
Hogg held a medical all call during her visit, discussing several topics touching on Military Health System transformation, innovation, diversity and inclusion and maintaining readiness.
“One of my favorite things to encourage is to ‘think without a box,’” said Hogg. “We might not have unlimited resources but we can think unlimited.”
Hogg closed the all call with a reminder of the AFMS vision: Air Force Warrior Medics, Mission-Focused, Excellence Driven.