Humbled with opportunity to lead the Air Force medical enlisted force

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Kevin J. Lambing
  • Chief, Medical Enlisted Force
WASHINGTON --  June 8, 2012 was an amazing day in the lives of the Lambing family. On that day, I became the 6th Chief, Medical Enlisted Force for the United States Air Force. It is an amazing and humbling opportunity to impact the lives of our 32,000 Total Force medics across the globe. I follow in the "giant" footsteps of Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Cole, a virtual "rock star" in our AFMS's history. His shoulders are wide and they are but one set I stand on as I support our Airmen over the next few years. Chiefs Laura Dumez, Dave Bayliss, Manny Sarmina and Mark Withers all forged the future for our enlisted force. May we also never forget the foundational work accomplished by CMSgt Ray Smith, who in 1968 became the first and only "Sergeant Major of the Air Force Medical Service."

"Trusted care anywhere" is our AFMS mantra. We place it on practically all our presentations. We use it in correspondence and congratulatory memos we pen. However, when we dissect the phrase, it's very complex and relies upon each and everyone of us to make it happen. It embodies the tactical work of our lowest ranking Airman to the strategic and visionary guidance given by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis, our 21st Air Force Surgeon General.

Trust is defined in many ways. Our nation's sons and daughters performing critical missions in austere locations and the new mother waiting for the test to come back on her febrile infant, define the term for us. In both cases, the past is a standard for the trust they hold so close today. They perform the critical missions and they bring their loved ones into our Military Treatment Facilities because they know the care they will receive is world-class! They trust, because they know our Airmen embody the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in all we do; ANYWHERE!

Anywhere is a bold statement which literally covers a lot of ground. For our Air Force Medical Service, it stands the test of measurement. Today there are more than 1,500 Air Force medical personnel deployed around the globe. I often ask our young Airmen this question: "Where is the AOR?" The most common answer is Afghanistan. The truth is, the globe is our AOR and our Airmen perform their duties every day, ensuring our nation is secure. More than a third of those 1,500 deployed support the "air bridge" which has moved more than 98,000 patients over the last decade. As we look to the future, that air bridge will continue to move patients, from ANYWHERE!

I was asked shortly after my selection was announced, how it felt. My response; "I am humbled." It is such an honor to have the opportunity to support our Air Force medics. I reflect upon it every day, and when the difficult beltway discussions start to happen, or the brake lights in front of me look like an endless row of red dots, I pause and remind myself how blessed I truly am. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Chief, Medical Enlisted Force. Be resilient, keep the faith in our Air Force, and bring value everyday to all you do.

*** Follow Chief Master Sgt. Kevin J. Lambing on Facebook here and the Air Force Medical Service here.