379th EMDG Changes Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Bates, right, assumes command of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group from Brig. Gen. Doug Jackson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, left, during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 17, 2023. Bates comes to the 379th AEW after serving as the commander of the 22nd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and deputy group commander of the 22nd Medical Group, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

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379th EMDG Changes Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joanna Jaminska, right, relinquishes command of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group to Brig. Gen. Doug Jackson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, left, during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 17, 2023. During her time as the 379th EMDG commander, Jaminska directed operations of the Department of Defense’s largest Expeditionary Blood Transshipment Center emergency services, 10-bed hospital with an intensive care unit, aerospace medicine, primary care, dental, and ancillary services providing care to joint and coalition forces in support of operations Inherent Resolve and Enduring Sentinel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

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379th EMDG Changes Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Bates, incoming 379th Expeditionary Medical Group commander gives a speech during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 17, 2023. Bates is a pilot-physician with more than 2000 pilot hours in the T-6, T-1, KC-135, and KC-46, including more than 430 combat hours for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen. As a flight surgeon and critical care air transport team physician he has also deployed in support of operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM accruing more than 220 combat hours in the UH-60, C-23, C-130J, C-130H, KC-135 and C-17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

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379th EMDG Changes Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joanna Jaminska, outgoing 379th Expeditionary Medical Group commander is awarded the Legion of Merit medal by Brig. Gen. Doug Jackson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, left, during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 17, 2023. The Legion of Merit recognizes service members who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

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379th EMDG Changes Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joanna Jaminska, outgoing 379th Expeditionary Medical Group commander gives a speech during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 17, 2023. Jaminska thanked her family, friends and colleagues for the support during her time as commander of the 379th EMDG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

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379th EMDG Changes Command

Published June 22, 2023
By Senior Airman Leon Redfern
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --

Welcome Col. Christopher Bates as the new 379th EMDG commander! We look forward to your leadership and execution of combat air power. The group is a Role-2 surgical facility supporting installation and U.S. Central Command patients. It also supports CENTCOM missions with two forward-deployable rapid response Ground Surgical Teams and is the Department of Defense's sole expeditionary blood transition shipment center and is the sole certifying and assembly point for individual first aid kits for the CENTCOM area of responsibility. Thank you Col. Joanna Jaminska for your command and contributions to the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group.