VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. David Chiesa received his first salute as the new commander of the 71st Medical Group during a change of command ceremony held July 16 in Hangar 199.

A formation of members of the 71st Medical Support Squadron and the 71st Medical Operations Squadron rendered a hand salute moments after Chiesa accepted command of the Medical Group when he received the unit guidon from Col. Darren James, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander.

Chiesa is replacing Col. Douglas Curry who commanded the Medical Group since July 29, 2010. Curry is taking an assignment to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces for senior development education at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

The ceremony, which began at 10 a.m., included colors presentation by the Silver Talon Honor Guard and an a cappella performance of the national anthem by Lt. Cols. Curt Castillo and Steve Yarbrough, both with the 5th Flying Training Squadron.

Chaplain (Maj.) Randall Groves gave the invocation.

Curry was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony.

A reception followed the ceremony at the Vance Collocated Club.

The new Medical Group commander comes to Vance AFB from an assignment as director of the Pentagon Tri-Service Dental Clinic in the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Chiesa earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.