931st Aerospace Medicine Squadron receives new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carrie Peasinger
  • 931st ARG Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Colonel Evan Z. Kapp, accepted command of the 931st Aerospace Medicine Squadron from Lt. Col. Cheryl E. Hooper, during a change of command ceremony here during the unit training assembly, Oct. 2.

Hooper, has served as commander of the squadron since 2004 and is now retiring. During her tenure the 931st AMS transitioned the unit from a five-person flight to a squadron consisting of 52 medical and dental personnel.

As the 931st AMS commander, Kapp is responsible for the medical care of more than 650 Air Force Reservists in the 931st Air Refueling Group.

During the ceremony, Col. William H. Mason, Commander, 931st Air Refueling Group, told the assembly that the change in commanders will result in new approaches .

"New commanders bring new philosophies, ideas and directions, we need to be supportive of changes of the new commander," said Mason.

The most immediate challenge for Kapp will be to prepare the unit for an upcoming Health and Services Inspection.

"It's the ORI [operational readiness inspection] for the medical people. Teams come out of Kirkland Air Force Base, [N.M.] and evaluate all of your programs and make sure you're following the regulations and guidance's of the United States Air Force and Reserve," said Kapp. "Right now, we are focusing on preparing for that. We in the squadron face a difficult year ahead that will test our abilities to persevere."

Kapp comes to the 931st ARG from the 943rd Rescue Wing at Davis Monthan AFB, where he served as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine.

Kapp said he is thankful to everyone for the tremendous opportunity to serve as the commander of the 931st AMS.

"I hope that I will be deserving of it and that I will lead well, fairly and successfully," he said.