MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --
Leaders from the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group and the active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing celebrated the official opening of the new 931st Aeromedical Squadron facility during a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted here, Aug. 1.
Also in attendance for the ceremony was Brig. Gen. John Flournoy, 4th Air Force Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Brian Wong, 4th Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant.
The new facility triples the number of work stations available for the squadron, includes a conference room and offices, and provides ample space for medical records storage. According to AMDS Commander Lt. Col. Michele Van Sickle, this greatly enhances the ability of the unit to provide for the medical needs of McConnell reservists.
"This facility allows us to have the 931st Air Refueling Group members' medical records right here with us so we can get cases processed more effectively and quickly and sent to Air Force Reserve Command so a decision can be made as to whether the member can return to duty or if they may need to go before a medical review board. Our goal is to expedite the decision making process so we can get our members back to doing their mission. This facility is going to help us work as a team to do that more efficiently."
Col. Jeffery Alder, 22nd Medical Group Commander, said the new facility is a testament to the enduring partnership between the active and reserve components at McConnell and will contribute to the global capability of the Air Force.
"We have long enjoyed a partnership in working together to ensure Airmen are medically ready and the importance of this cannot be overstated," said Alder. "We've shared space in the past, but there will be a day when the demand will make this new space critical. This gives us space to be able to support the warfighters and meet the needs of combatant commanders."
"This is a great day for Team McConnell," said Col. Mark S. Larson, 931st Air Refueling Group Commander. "My thanks to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing for all they have done in helping and working in conjunction with us to make this happen. It is one thing to talk about Total Force Integration; it's another to actually do it. This facility gives the 931st Aeromedical Squadron an identity while continuing to further our relationship with our active duty counterparts."
Van Sickle said this facility will enable the 931 AMDS to accomplish its mission of making sure Airmen are ready to do their job, anytime, anywhere.
"We help the patients flow so the planes will go," said Van Sickle. "If we take care of our people, they will take care of the mission. We take care of them so they can go out and fly, fight and win."