AMC selects Grand Forks AFB squadron commander for MSC Award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Warriors of the North assigned to the 319th Medical Support Squadron can officially say they are commanded by one of the best in the Air Force.

Lt. Col. Arlene D. Adams, 319th MDSS commander, was recently selected by the Air Mobility Command as its U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps nominee for the Brig. Gen. Patricia C. Lewis Commitment to Service Award.

The Lewis Award recognizes outstanding work of Medical Service Corps officers nominated from within the health services administrator career field. Nominees must be either majors or lieutenant colonels and have attended military education and professional schools commensurate with grade.

The award's namesake retired in 2009 after 30 years of military service and served as the Assistant Surgeon General, Strategic Medical Plans and Programs, and Chief of the Medical Service Corps.

The commander of the 319th Medical Group, Col. Terri Bailey, called to personally congratulate Adams, who was spending time with her family while on leave.

"My family was excited and very proud when I told them the news," said Adams, who took command of the 319th MDSS five months ago. "I felt so humbled, honored and very surprised because there are so many outstanding Medical Service Corps officers, many of whom have helped develop me to become the Air Force officer and leader I am today."

Several major accomplishments and actions led to the Adams' nomination by the major command. The most notable of which was being awarded a Bronze Star in 2013 for her deployment as Health Validation Team Lead at the Command Surgeon's Office in Kabul, Afghanistan. Adams led a 15-person team of Army, Air Force, Navy and Afghan military members.

"We not only convoyed and flew throughout Afghanistan to inspect the various military hospitals, we mentored an Afghan team to continue enforcing quality healthcare standards after coalition forces leave the country," said Adams, who has deployed three times during her 16-year career.

Experiences such as her deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom motivated the San Diego native to share some thoughts as she reflected on her recognition.

"I feel so blessed to have had all these great opportunities and experiences throughout my career, but this would not have been possible without the support of others," she said. "I owe many thanks to the people I've served with who have helped guide me along the way and especially my family for the sacrifices they have made, their love and never-ending support."