2nd MDG deactivate and re-designate squadrons Published Sept. 19, 2019 By Senior Airman Stuart Bright 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 2nd Medical Group held a deactivation ceremony and re-designation ceremonies on September 18, 2019. Under the direction of the United States Secretary of the Air Force, in an effort to improve squadron readiness; a new organizational model for the Military Treatment Facilities will be implemented amongst 42 clinics within the United States. The official ceremony included deactivation of the 2nd Dental Squadron, re-designation of the 2nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the 2nd Medical Operations Squadron as the 2nd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and the 2nd Health Care Operations Squadron respectively. “The intent of this from the Secretary of the Air Force is to put all active duty care into a single squadron so they can focus on the readiness and warfighting capability of the Airmen,” said Col. Christopher Hudson, 2nd MDG commander. The 2nd OMRS will focus on taking care of active duty Airmen while the 2nd HCOS will focus on the families and retirees. Another big change is after 25 years of being the 2nd Dental Squadron, it will become the 2nd Dental Flight and fall under the 2nd OMRS. “This is bittersweet for me, because I enjoyed my time as a squadron commander,” said Col. Joanna McPherson, 2nd MDG deputy commander. “However I believe the realignment makes sense from a readiness standpoint.” Besides the new structure, Airmen of the 2nd MDG will operate and care for patients like any other day. “So as we deactivate and re-designate squadrons, and supervisors and flights change and we get new offices and squadron chants, one thing remains the same,” Hudson said. “The mission is to take care of Airmen and their families.”