Medics under new leadership Published June 15, 2007 By Frank McIntyre 71st Flying Training Wing public affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Colonel Otha Solomon, Jr. took command of the 71st Medical Group from Col. John McCafferty in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday in Hangar 199. Colonel Solomon comes to Vance from Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he was chief of dental operations for Headquarters, Air Force Material Command. "Command is an honor and privilege for those selected to serve in that capacity. It is a special opportunity that allows me to lead some of America's brightest sons and daughters dedicated to the service of their country," Colonel Solomon said. "We, as medics, are also warriors and are charged to serve, support, prevent and cure disease in order to maintain a fit and fighting force. "The 71st Medical Group is dedicated to serving all of our beneficiaries, keeping the warfighters flying and maintaining the pipeline of graduating healthy and fit undergraduate pilots. As commander, I am looking forward to working with our local partners to ensure that tradition of dedication continues." As the 71st MDG commander, Colonel Solomon commands and coordinates the medical mission for the 71st Flying Training Wing as it conducts joint specialized undergraduate pilot training for more than 460 U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied student pilots each year. The group ensures access cost, and quality of medical services for more than 5000 eligible beneficiaries. Colonel Solomon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1971 from Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, N.C. and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in December 1981 and entered active duty in January 1982 with the rank of captain He has served in a variety of assignments including general dental officer at Laughlin AFB, Texas, Kunsan AB, Korea and Zweibrucken AB, Germany before being assigned as assistant base dental surgeon, Altus AFB, Okla. He was a resident in the Advanced Clinical Dentistry Residency, Eglin AFB, Fla., before being assigned as base dental surgeon, Izmir AS, Turkey. He also served as commander of the 65th Medical Operations Squadron, Lajes Field, Azores, the 6th Dental Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla. and the 89th Dental Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. From September 2004 to January 2005, he was deployed to Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates as commander of the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group. Colonel Solomon's military education includes Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Advanced Clinical Dentistry Residency at Eglin AFB, Fla., Air War College and a Dental Service Fellowship with HQ USAF Office of Surgeon General. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. Col. McCafferty's next assignment will as deputy command surgeon, United States Southern Command in Miami Fla. "I'd like to thank the men and women of the 71st Medical Group for all they've done to support the mission of Team Vance and taking care of our patients. I'd like to particularly highlight the medics' support of the deployment mission, both in ensuring people are deployment ready and in stepping up to deployments themselves, often on a volunteer basis, Colonel McCafferty said. "Multiple command, Air Force and national accreditation organizations have recognized the 71st MDG for excellence and I commend our people who made it happen. Of particular note are awards for highest performing small MDG and the number one pharmacy in the Air Force. "Thanks for the privilege to have been your MDG commander And thanks to all of Team Vance for your support and best wishes in the future."