YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- On August 28th, 2020, the 374th Medical Group re-designated two of its medical squadrons at Yokota Air Base, Japan, to better streamline healthcare for active duty and non-active duty patients.

The squadron reformation was recognized during a re-designation ceremony at the Yokota Officer Club with Col. Iris Reedom, 374th Medical Group commander, presiding and Col. Andrew Campbell, 374th Airlift Wing commander, in attendance.

“As part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA), Congress directed all of the Air Force Surgeon Generals to come up with a model that would structure the Military Treatment Facilities in a way that focuses on increasing medical readiness, while simultaneously taking care of our non-active duty patients”, said Reedom.

Across the Air Force, the NDAA has resulted in the restructuring of 50 military hospitals and clinics to provide increased individual medical readiness for active-duty members in support of combat operations, while still supplying quality care to beneficiaries of those who serve.

To meet the intent of the NDAA at Yokota, the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron has been renamed as the 374th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, with the 374th OMRS primary care providers set to provide care to all active-duty members in need of medical care.

The 374th Medical Operations Squadron has also been renamed as the 374th Healthcare Operations Squadron, with the 374th HOS primary care providers set to prioritize non-active duty members and children for patient care.

Despite the change in name and in primary care managers for some, the change better positions the 374th MDG to continue to provide, and improve upon, the level of quality care Yokota has known them for.

“Let us not go into this next chapter comparing ourselves to what was, but let us bravely and daringly keep our sights forward to create a new future for not only us, but those that will come after us”, said Lt. Col. Cassandra Gilbert, 374th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, “With that said, let us retain the cohesive unity of our past and embrace our new members and mission with the same zeal, professionalism, agility and innovation we are known for.”