OSAN AIR BASE, REPUBLIC OF KOREA -- Beginning July 27, the 51st Medical Group will usher in a new era of advanced care for active duty, dependents and retirees through an Air Force-wide organizational redesignation.

The installation’s newly launched Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, which replaces the Aerospace Medicine Squadron, is dedicated to improving Airmen's lethality and rapidly returning them to a medically ready state. Non-active duty visitors will still be seen at the base hospital’s new Healthcare Operations Squadron, replacing the Medical Operations Squadron.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead a new squadron with an improved and more focused goal of world-class patient care,” said Lt. Col. Jimmy Scott, 51st HCOS commander. “It’s always a rewarding feeling when you hear positive feedback from patients about the quality of care they receive from our Airmen and staff, and I know it’s a trend that will continue.”

Amidst the changes, the Air Force Medical Service transformation will ensure the readiness mission is at the forefront of medical operations, and the physical layout of the facility will be adjusted to ensure the 51st MDG Airmen are co-located to work and synergize their efforts while still providing safe, high quality, patient-centered care.

“The implementation of the [OMRS] and [HCOS] is modeled after Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho which was initiated in 2018,” said Captain Monica Scott, 51st MDG primary care nurse. “Within six months of the transition, non-mission capable Airmen decreased by nearly one-fourth.”

Scott mentioned the 51st MDG is no exception and is embracing the transition to better serve their patients, with the objective of ensuring at least 90 percent of Airmen are fully mission capable, while maintaining a robust health benefit to all patients.

“The [Air Force Medical Service] transformation will ensure our readiness mission is at the forefront of our medical operations,” Scott said. “The overall goal is to meet the Department of Defense’s enduring mission to provide combat-credible forces needed to deter war and protect the security of our nation.”

For more information regarding these changes, please see our FAQ sheet here or email usaf.osan.51-mdg.mbx.mdg-transformation@mail.mil.

Photo Caption: Colonel Michael Fae, 51st Medical Group commander, presents the new commander of the 51st Healthcare Operations Squadron, Lt. Col. Jimmy Scott, during the change of command and redesignation ceremony for the 51st Medical Operations Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 27, 2020. The 51st MDOS officially redesignated at the 51st HCOS, which will prioritize the care and treatment for dependents and retirees, and the 51st Aerospace Medicine Squadron will be replaced with the 51st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, providing care for all active-duty members.