OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Air Force Surgeon General and top chief master sergeant medic visited the Osan 51st Medical Group to observe the progress and challenges of AF military treatment facilities Sept. 14.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Mark A. Ediger, Surgeon General of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and Chief Master Sgt. Jason Pace, Office of the Surgeon General medical enlisted force chief, met with Airmen from all parts of the medical group and engaged in their daily medical practices.

“This is the best part of our duty day,” said Pace. “Reaching out to the Airmen and finding out what we can improve on is how we all become better medics. [Touring the 51st MDG] has been time well spent for us.”

Ediger and Pace tour medical groups across the AF periodically to see their ability to support the AF Medical Service’s four strategic focus areas: full-spectrum readiness, integrated operational support, Air Force Medical Home and trusted care.

Ediger praised medical personnel within the group about making strides to improve the Air Force’s medical presence by reaching out to other operational units throughout the Korean Peninsula.

“You have imbedded medical support in other organizational units like the [694th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group] and Army units in Suwon,” said Ediger. “That’s something we need to do at every installation across the Air Force, which you do already.”

To conclude the day’s events, Ediger gave final remarks to 51st MDG Airmen during an all-call.

“It is a special thing to be a medic for the world’s best Air Force, and we truly are,” Ediger said.

The medic role here so close to the threat isn’t easy, but we appreciate your dedication and professionalism, he said.