New commander takes command of expeditionary medical group

Published Aug. 6, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Vincent Borden
386th Expeditionary Wing public affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony here August 6.

Col. Robert Rennie assumed command of the group from Col. Thomas Palmer. Col. Cameron Torrens, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, commenting on the significance of the 386th EMDG as a whole.

"This occasion today is arguably one of our most important ceremonies of the year," Colonel Torrens said during the change-of-command ceremony. "All of our groups are important, but the talents of these Airmen often literally mean the difference between life and death."

Colonel Torrens praised Colonel Palmer's accomplishments during his tenure with the 386th EMDG, which included the care of 4,100 patients, 1,500 of which came from the battlefields of Iraq. The 386th EDMG also maintained a 100 percent survival rate, as well as an 80 percent return-to-duty rate for Airmen the group treated under Colonel Palmer's command.

Colonel Palmer was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts. During his last address to the Airmen of the 386th EMDG, he expressed his sincere admiration for the work they accomplished during his tenure as their commander.

"You've been absolutely stellar performers," said Colonel Palmer. "I can't imagine having a better group than this for my final Air Force deployment."

Colonel Rennie also praised the efforts of the Airmen of the 386th EMDG after receiving command of the group.

"The 386th is a highly valued organization within the Global War on Terrorism" Colonel Rennie said. "I look forward to this opportunity to lead, to follow, to mentor and be mentored. "

As the new commander in charge of the 386th EMDG, Colonel Rennie is responsible for the maintenance of the 386th AEW's combat capability by providing local emergent and routine healthcare. Additionally, Colonel Rennie will be in charge of the group's Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility, which supports Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom by providing personnel and equipment for aeromedical evacuation of wounded U.S. military, coalition forces and civilian contract personnel from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to Europe and the continental U.S. The facility is one of two in the AOR.

The importance of his newly obtained group's mission was not lost on the colonel.

"We're all here to provide, arrange and facilitate the healthcare services needed by all our comrades in arms, so that they may return to fulfill a life that's possible in the service of their country, and to their families," said Colonel Rennie.

Colonel Rennie comes to the 386th EMDG after an assignment at the 96th Medical Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Colonel Palmer will return to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, as the deputy commander of the 88th Medical Group.