Happy birthday Air Force Medical Service

Happy 65th birthday to the Air Force Medical Service! In September 1947 the combat elements of the Army Air Forces separated from the U.S. Army, forming the United States Air Force. But a few Air Force support functions, such as medical care, remained U.S. Army responsibilities for the next two years. Starting in 1948, the Air Force and the Air Surgeon, Maj. Gen. Malcolm C. Grow (1887-1960), began to convince the U.S. Army and the administration of President Truman that the Air Force needed its own medical service. In the summer of 1949, Air Force General Order No. 35 established a medical service with the following officer personnel components: Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Veterinary Corps, Medical Service Corps, Air Force Nurse Corps, and Women's Medical Specialist Corps. The order stated, "The above listed corps shall consist of those personnel transferred from corresponding corps of the Department of the Army, and personnel subsequently commissioned in the respective corps of the Medical Service, United States Air Force. Personnel appointed in the above corps will be carried on separate promotion lists." Each officer corps also received a contingent of enlisted medics. The effective date of the creation of the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) was July 1, 1949.

AFMS celebrates 65th Birthday with summer safety

Published July 16, 2014
By Senior Airman Kristin High
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

AFMS celebrates 65th Birthday with summer safety -- This month the Air Force Medical Service celebrates its 65th birthday. On July 1, 1949, the Air Force established a medical service with officer personnel components of Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Medical Service, Air Force Nurse and Women's Medical Specialist Corps.

Coinciding with the AFMS birthday, July is also Health Innovation Month. The 2nd Medical Group has safety tips for summer.

"With the summer season in full effect it is important to be aware of the hazards and dangers of water activities," said Lt. Col. Prudence Anderson, 2nd MDG health care integrator. "Teaching children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible is essential to keeping them out of danger."

Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision, as well as maintaining constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area, she added.

"If a child is missing, check the pool first and keep rescue equipment poolside," said Anderson. "Don't wait for the paramedics to arrive after pulling someone out of the pool, valuable life-saving seconds will be lost. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause permanent brain damage or death."

It's also important to be safe with other outside activities during the summer, she added.

According to the Center for Disease Control website, wearing proper protection can prevent damage from the sun.

"Sunscreen is important to prevent skin cancer along with wearing a hat and minimizing the amount of time in direct sunlight, if possible," said Anderson.

Additionally, according to the CDC website, children who wear sunglasses are less likely to form cataracts later in life.

Summer is a time to have fun and enjoy the outdoors. With proper safety and preparation, everyone can enjoy this season.

For more summer and skin safety tips, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info.