JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Roosevelt Allen became the new commander of the 79th Medical Wing (79 MDW) during a packed house ceremony in the Club on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, District of Columbia today.
The 79 MDW consists of 1,550 health care professionals who organize, train, equip, and provide medical forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment, homeland defense operations, and support joint operations within the NCR. The wing executes general dentistry residency and graduate medical education training programs, a nurse transition program, and a multitude of enlisted medical training programs. The wing also serves as the air evacuation hub for the East Coast and is responsible for providing medical support to presidential, congressional, Joint and Air Staff special airlift missions.
"I look forward to this great opportunity. I am dedicated to ensuring that our medical forces sustain the excellent health care to which our beneficiaries are accustomed. We like to say we are a part of an integrated military medical center without walls. You will find Air Force medics everywhere you go in the NCR. They have devoted their lives to their roles as medical professionals, and I am privileged to serve with them. In my role as Commander, I will ensure a ready medical force capable of delivering quality medical care to all of our beneficiaries," said General Allen.
Prior to this assignment, General Allen, a board-certified comprehensive dentist, served as the Deputy Command Surgeon, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.