22nd MDG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Col. Charles R. Carlton relinquished command of the 22nd Medical Group to Col. Jeffery R. Alder during a change of command ceremony here March 7, 2014.

Col. Joel D. Jackson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, which has been a military tradition since the beginning of the Air Force. The transfer of the unit guidon symbolizes the transfer of authority from the previous commander to the new commander.

"Your group's superior mission focus and war fighter support have been honed to a razor's edge under Col. Carlton's leadership," said Jackson. "His direction has enhanced McConnell's ability to provide outstanding medical care to more than 21,000 patients."

Carlton shared his thanks to the teammates he has worked with over the last two-and-a-half years before passing off the guidon. Under his leadership, the 22nd MDG came in first place in Air Mobility Command for individual medical readiness for three consecutive years.

Alder's previous position was chief of medical counter-chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear policy and operations, in the office of the Air Force Surgeon General in Falls Church, Va. He also has served as an executive and staff officer at the major command and Air Staff level.

Alder discovered the importance of air refueling through his years of work with bioenvironmental engineering, readiness and crisis planning and various deployments.

"One thing that became absolutely clear to me was the critical nature of air-to-air refueling - this tanker mission at McConnell," he said. "It's critical to the nation's ability to project U.S. power globally. So I am absolutely proud to be a part of your team and contribute to this mission."

Passing the guidon to Alder, Jackson expressed his confidence in the 22nd MDG's new commander.

"The Medical Group is a powerful and relentless team that is always getting the job done," said Jackson. "You have excelled under Col. Carlton and I look forward your continued excellence under Col. Alder."