386th EMDG welcomes new commander

Published Aug. 3, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Shaun Emery
386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Col. Phil Samples assumed command of the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group from Col. James King during a change of command ceremony held here Aug. 3.

Colonel Samples previously served as Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command deputy command surgeon, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

As 386th EMDG commander, Colonel Samples leads a team of Airmen who support the wing mission by ensuring a healthy and fit force and by providing combat medical support for servicemembers and coalition partners. The 386th EMDG assists in the maintenance of wing combat capability by providing local emergency and routine healthcare, coordinating local specialty medical referrals and aeromedical evacuation out of the AOR when necessary.

Col. John R. Gordy II, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, presided over the ceremony. In his opening remarks, Colonel Gordy praised Colonel King and his team of medical Airmen for their successes over the past year.

"Today we say goodbye to our friend and top doc Colonel King and welcome Colonel Samples to the best wing in the AOR," he said. "Under Colonel King's leadership the medical group soared to its best performance in years. During his time here, he initiated 24 hour critical care ops enabling the execution of 7,000 clinical visits and 2,000 immunizations."

Additionally, the medical group was involved in the movement of 1,400 wounded warriors on 400 air and ground evacuations, returning 97 percent back to the fight, added Colonel Gordy.

Before being relieved of command, Colonel King took a moment to address the medical group personnel standing in formation.

"It's been an honor and a privileged to work with each of you here," said Colonel King. "This was a team effort. It's only if we work together that we can accomplish great things. And my team, the 386th EMDG, got the job done every day. I just stood back, got out of the way and let them go."

In his first address as 386th EMDG commander, Colonel Samples expressed his excitement of taking over his new command and challenged his Airmen to take advantage of the opportunities being deployed presents.

"I'm honored to be given this chance to command the men and women of the 386th EMDG as we continue to support the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing," he said. "I charge each of you to simply look every day for ways to better serve our patients and our wing. As we explore the wing mission, think "what can I do" to prevent illness and injury before they happen. Being deployed presents difficulties we do not often face in a normal supported medical system. I ask you to anticipate and correctly execute. I look forward to serving with each of you, our wing members, coalition members, in-theater medical partners and the members of our host nation."