386th EMDG welcomes new commander

Published Jan. 30, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 386th Expeditionary Medical Group rendered its first salute to new commander, Col. Michael Schaffrinna, after he took command of the unit from Col. Phil Samples during a change of command ceremony Jan. 29, 2010 at an air base here.

Colonel Schaffrinna comes to the 386th EMDG from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he was the 88th Medical Group deputy commander.

"The great thing about our job in the military is that we're rarely ever at the point where everything is perfect and we can call mission complete," said Col. John Gordy II, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "We're sending (Colonel Samples) home because it's time, not because he finished all the work. We're fortunate to be blessed with an extremely talented officer (in Colonel Schaffrinna) who is going to pick up that workload and take it to the next level."

"Mike, with your broad medical background from pediatrician to flight surgeon, you're uniquely suited and imminently qualified to command this group," Colonel Gordy said. "We are fortunate to have you."

Upon taking command of the 386th EMDG, Colonel Schaffrinna asked his new team to keep readiness, safety, satisfaction, innovation and empowerment at the forefront, using the analogy of a professional athletic team to keep them focused.

"Consider this wing like a professional athletic team and you are the providers, nurses and technicians who make sure that the team and those athletes within it are performing at their optimal level," he said. "Your goal is to prevent injury and if an injury occurs, you treat it."

The colonel also challenged his Airmen living on "The Rock," the nickname for the air base here, to go above and beyond the normal.

"What I would challenge all of you is don't just live on the rock, but be the rock - that solid foundation - and if you can do that, then there's nothing we can't accomplish," he said.

During the ceremony, Colonel Gordy presented Colonel Samples the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement and took a moment to say farewell and honor his hard work and dedication to the 386th EMDG over the last six months.

"Under Phil's command, the 386th EMDG smashed all records in delivering pharmacy, critical and emergency medical care to our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines," he said. "An incredible officer and leader, Phil led the Medical Group to its best performance in years.

Under Colonel Samples command, the 386th EMDG executed 24-hour critical care operations enabling the treatment of more than 17,000 patients, administered more than 7,000 immunizations and fielded more than 7,000 mental health outreach activities, all of which directly contributed to the wing's 99 percent mission effectiveness rate, the colonel said.

Under Colonel Samples' command, the contingency aeromedical staging facility, one of only two in the area of responsibility, guaranteed the movement of more than 2,400 wounded warriors on 658 air and ground evacuation missions ensuring personnel were treated quickly and returned to the fight, Colonel Gordy added. Colonel Samples also led the effort to craft readiness, file maintenance and disease containment plans leaving behind a legacy of sustained continuity that will serve the wing for years to come.

"Phil, while I know you will give all the credit to your Airmen, I know it was your unmatched leadership and your love of people and mission that guaranteed success," said Colonel Gordy. "You were without a doubt a leader for primary care (here) and had AOR-wide impact. You are a tremendous officer, a good friend and on behalf of the entire wing, we thank you for a job well done."

The 386th EMDG ensures a healthy and fit force by providing combat medical support for U.S. military members, Department of Defense civilians and coalition partners. The group also assists in the maintenance of wing combat capability by providing local emergent and routine health care, and coordinating local specialty medical referrals and aeromedical evacuation out of the U.S. Central Command AOR. Additionally, the 386th EMDG coordinates and assists with movement of casualties throughout the AOR, preventive medicine support, combat stress management, dental and force health protection for DoD, U.S. and coalition forces throughout Southwest Asia.