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AF Surgeon General visits Kunsan, reviews innovative contingency medical support

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Celina Garcia, 8th Medical Support Squadron war reserve material technician, briefs Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Gen. Hogg inspected all of the clinics and facilities and held an all-call with the Airmen from the medical group to lay out her expectations and goals as the Surgeon General. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Celina Garcia, 8th Medical Support Squadron war reserve material technician, briefs Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Gen. Hogg inspected all of the clinics and facilities and held an all-call with the Airmen from the medical group to lay out her expectations and goals as the Surgeon General. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

Leadership from the 8th Medical Group await U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, as she and Air Force Medical Service leadership arrive at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership visited the 8th MDG here to observe the progress and challenges of the military treatment facilities in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

Leadership from the 8th Medical Group await U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, as she and Air Force Medical Service leadership arrive at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership visited the 8th MDG here to observe the progress and challenges of the military treatment facilities in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

Leadership from the 8th Medical Group salute U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, as she and Air Force Medical Service leadership depart Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership visited the 8th MDG here to observe the progress and challenges of the military treatment facilities in the Pacific.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

Leadership from the 8th Medical Group salute U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, as she and Air Force Medical Service leadership depart Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership visited the 8th MDG here to observe the progress and challenges of the military treatment facilities in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, and other Air Force Medical Service leadership tour a war reserve material warehouse at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership visited the 8th MDG here to observe the progress and challenges of the military treatment facilities in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, and other Air Force Medical Service leadership tour a war reserve material warehouse at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership visited the 8th MDG here to observe the progress and challenges of the military treatment facilities in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, inspects a war reserve material warehouse at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Gen. Hogg and Chief Master Sgt. George Cum, the Medical Enlisted Chief, met with Airmen of the medical group and received a brief on the capabilities and support provided to the 8th Fighter Wing and its mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, inspects a war reserve material warehouse at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Gen. Hogg and Chief Master Sgt. George Cum, the Medical Enlisted Chief, met with Airmen of the medical group and received a brief on the capabilities and support provided to the 8th Fighter Wing and its mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Czar Jose Roda, 8th Medical Group resource management and flight commander support staff flight commander (middle) poses for a picture with Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General (left), and Chief MSgt. G. Steve Cum, Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force (right) at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership toured the 8th MDG to assess their capabilities and talk with the Airmen that work in the clinics.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Czar Joseph Roda, 8th Medical Group resource management and flight commander support staff flight commander (middle) poses for a picture with Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General (left), and Chief MSgt. G. Steve Cum, Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force (right) at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Air Force Medical Service leadership toured the 8th MDG to assess their capabilities and talk with the Airmen that work in the clinics.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kelly Hocker, medical technician at the 8th Medical Operations Squadron (right), talks with Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General (left), and Chief MSgt. G. Steve Cum, Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force (center) during a tour of the 8th Medical Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. General Hogg and Chief Cum toured the 8th MDG to examine their capabilities and talk with the Airmen on a personal level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kelly Hocker, medical technician at the 8th Medical Operations Squadron (right), talks with Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General (left), and Chief MSgt. G. Steve Cum, Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force (center) during a tour of the 8th Medical Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. General Hogg and Chief Cum toured the 8th MDG to examine their capabilities and talk with the Airmen on a personal level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, converses with 8th Medical Group staff during her visit to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. The 8th MDG showcased their capabilities and highlighted their staff during Hogg’s visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, converses with 8th Medical Group staff during her visit to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. The 8th MDG showcased their capabilities and highlighted their staff during Hogg’s visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, shakes hands with 8th Medical Group staff during her visit to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Gen. Hogg toured the 8th MDG to examine their capabilities in support of the 8th Fighter Wing to keep all military members fit to fight, and talk with the Airmen on a personal level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, shakes hands with 8th Medical Group staff during her visit to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. Gen. Hogg toured the 8th MDG to examine their capabilities in support of the 8th Fighter Wing to keep all military members fit to fight, and talk with the Airmen on a personal level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, discusses a range of topics with leadership from the 8th Medical Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. The 8th MDG showcased their capabilities and highlighted their staff during Hogg’s visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, discusses a range of topics with leadership from the 8th Medical Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. The 8th MDG showcased their capabilities and highlighted their staff during Hogg’s visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

Senior Airman Adam Mendoza, medical materiel technician from the 8th Medical Support Squadron, presents a plan for Shelter-in-place First Aid Kit distribution at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. The SFAK was showcased during the Air Force Surgeon General’s visit to the 8th Medical Group to show it’s importance of being implemented. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)
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Senior Airman Jules Mendoza, medical materiel technician from the 8th Medical Support Squadron, presents a plan for Shelter-in-place First Aid Kit distribution at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2018. The SFAK was showcased during the Air Force Surgeon General’s visit to the 8th Medical Group to show it’s importance of being implemented. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez)

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The 8th Medical Group showcased their capabilities during a visit from Air Force Medical Service leadership here Sept. 25, 2018.

U.S. Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Dorothy A. Hogg and the Medical Enlisted Chief, Chief Master Sgt. G. Steve Cum, made a point during their time at the Wolf Pack to meet the staff at the clinic and see what the medical group has to offer, such as the Shelter-in-place First Aid Kit (SFAK).

During Hogg’s visit, Kunsan medical personnel presented their distinguished guests with a demonstration of the SFAK, a tool they developed that allows personnel to have access to medical supplies in situations where a medic is not available or present during emergencies, such as active shooters or a severe natural disaster. Each kit is capable of treating up to 100 people and the 8th MDG is working on making these standardized across Pacific Air Force locations, and eventually service-wide.

“This kind of capability is extremely important in locations like Kunsan where there is always a possibility of conflict but really the SFAK is applicable anywhere,” said Capt. Czar Joseph Roda, 8th Medical Group resource manager and commander support staff flight commander. “Medical personnel won’t always be able to reach you, or may have to prioritize treating people. This kit allows anyone with basic medical knowledge, such as self-aid and buddy care, to be able to provide medical support until professionals arrive and can take over.”

The 8th MDG highlighted their various clinics and the staff that operates them, providing world class medical care to all of the military personnel on Kunsan.  Hogg was briefed on the capabilities of the medical group’s contingency medical support operations, being able to support a large influx of military members in the event that conflict arises.

“The future of the AFMS lies with the young medical Airmen just starting in their careers,” said Hogg. “I meet so many of them, and I am always impressed by their enthusiasm and commitment to our patients and their mission. The way forward is defined by our continued Trusted Care culture.”

General Hogg held an all call, where she praised the 8th MDG for their outstanding professionalism and hard work, along with laying out her priorities as the Surgeon General.

“Our readiness mission will remain the most important aspect of Air Force Medicine,” Hogg said. “Supporting warfighters is the reason we have medics in uniform, and we will continue to be responsive to our combatant commanders to provide them with the deployable medical support they need.”