DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz -- Lt. Col. William Gitchell took command of the 943d Aerospace Medicine Squadron during a change of command ceremony held here, Sept. 11.
“Going forward, we must prepare for the future. We are going to lean into training and practice our agility and adaptability under pressure. We will continue to perform our primary mission; ensuring the medical readiness of our attack and rescue groups that are assigned here. I’m deeply honored to be commander for the men and women of the 943d AMDS. They are the most dedicated, talented and diversely skilled medics I have ever come across,” said Gitchell.
A change of command ceremony is a military tradition that formally signifies the transfer of responsibility from one commanding officer to another; symbolized through the passing of a guidon.
The 943d AMDS, a geographically separated unit of the 920th Rescue Wing, deploys qualified Airmen to provide personnel and equipment necessary for patient movement worldwide. The squadron’s Airmen support operations around the world, including exercises, humanitarian relief and disaster response.