JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Major Gen. Gar S. Graham passed the reigns of command of the 79th Medical Wing to Maj. Gen. Gerard A. Caron Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. in Hangar 3 on Joint Base Andrews in a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, Air Force District of Washington commander.
General Caron will also serve as the Air Force Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., providing dental policy and operational advice to the Air Force Surgeon General on matters involving the dental practice of 1,000 dentists and 2,500 technicians. In addition, he will also be the Command Surgeon, Headquarters Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews and the Air Force Medical Component Commander, Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
General Caron commands 1,475 military and civilian employees who provide quality health care to more than 400,000 beneficiaries in the NCR, with an annual budget of $59 million.
"I can think of no greater honor, privilege and responsibility than to lead this outstanding group of medics, here in our nation's capital, while we are at war," said General Caron.
The 79 MW is a mission partner on Joint Base Andrews with two subordinate units, the 779th Medical Group, located here, and the 579th Medical Group, located on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Additionally, these groups have medics working across the National Capital Region, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade and the Pentagon.
A unique capability of the Wing is the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility. The 779 ASF, serves as the primary East Coast hub for aeromedical evacuation aircraft returning sick or injured patients from Europe to the United States for care. This is the busiest gateway in the US for patients awaiting transportation back to their home stations.
"We care for and serve our nation's most precious assets - our military members, especially those who have been injured in the line of duty, their families and those retirees who served honorably in their time and their families," explained General Caron.
Since 2006, the Air Force Guard and Reserves have dutifully supported the wing. The wing also provides medical forces for expeditionary deployment, homeland defense operations, and joint operations worldwide.
"Together with our Army and Navy partners in the Joint Task Force-Capitol Medicine, we are dedicated to excellence and timely healthcare for those we serve," said General Caron.
The face of Air Force medicine in the NCR is changing, but it continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community by "providing the right care, in the right way, supporting readiness here and around the world," said General Caron.