20th MDG decommissions 20th MDSS
By Senior Airman Cody Sanders, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
/ Published May 05, 2021
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Medical Group held a decommissioning ceremony for the 20th Medical Support Squadron on May 5, 2021.
In 2019, the Secretary of the Air Force directed the Air Force Medical Service to reform by restructuring military treatment facilities to an operational readiness model.
“Today completes the reform the 20th MDG started in 2019 to establish the 20th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and the 20th Healthcare Operations Squadron,” said Col. Laura Baugh, 20th MDG commander. “This organizational realignment accelerates the changes we need to increase our Airmen’s deployability and readiness to compete, deter and win a high end fight.”
The ceremony consisted of the deactivation of the 20th MDSS and a change of command with Lt. Col. Gretchen Haywood-Kuhn assuming command of the 20th HCOS.
The 20th OMRS will focus on the medical readiness of Active Duty Airmen while the 20th HCOS cares for dependents and retirees.
The transition will align the 20th MDG with military treatment facilities across the Air Force, bringing Airmen and patients more consistency when on temporary duty travel or after a permanent change of station.
“The basic medical squadron reform model consists of two squadrons, Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and Healthcare Operations Squadron,” said Baugh. “Within this model, the support functions of the 20th MDSS will now align with the 20th HCOS.”
Besides the new structure, Airmen of the 20th MDG will operate and care for patients like any other day.
“Before today, the healthcare benefits and support pieces were separate but they are very closely linked,” said Lt. Col. Gretchen Haywood-Kuhn, 20th HCOS commander. “This will make the transition into the 20th HCOS essentially seamless.”