442nd Fighter Wing's geographically separated unit gives its final salute

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kent Kagarise
  • 442nd Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 710th Medical Squadron conducted its final unit training assembly Nov. 8 in preparation for its official deactivation Dec. 1. The 710th is a geographically separated unit of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Offutt Air Force Base.

Col. Joan Gonzalez, the 710th MDS commander, said she is very proud of her unit and is filled with mixed emotions.

"It's bittersweet," Colonel Gonzalez said.

"The 710th was No. 1 in the Air Force Reserve at being ready to deploy, and we are so good at what we do; it is sad to see us be inactivated," she said. "But, there will now be a number of quality individuals to be infused into other units, and that can only help to strengthen our overall reserve force."

The 710th MDS has supported Air Force missions in many aspects throughout its existence, such as providing aid for Hurricane Katrina victims and individual deployments for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Included also are individual deployments to Guam, Surinam, Tunisia and Korea. The squadron also provided support for the 55th Security Forces Squadron at Offutt throughout the Global War on Terrorism.

At full capacity the 710th Medical Squadron was comprised of 160 Airmen who needed new units upon discovering their unit's deactivation. They were faced with the challenge of finding new units and securing their future military careers.

"We had recruiters from just about every branch of the military visit us. The 442nd Military Personnel Flight came up to give us information and leadership and made a lot of personal calls to provide our people with every possible opportunity that may be out there," Colonel Gonzalez said.

"At this point almost everybody has orders in their hands," she said.

Lt. Col. Shelly Kinney, 710th MDS flight commander has served her entire 21-year Air Force career at Offutt Air Force Base.

"Even though people knew they had to find new units, they hung around as long as they could," Colonel Kinney said. "Many of those who found new homes still stuck around all the way to the very end."

Many retirees and past members of the 710th MDS returned for the deactivation ceremony where the squadron flag was rolled up one last time.

Master Sgt. Kelly Kay, 710th MDS first sergeant, described it as an emotional event.

"I've been in the Air Force 25 years and Offutt has been my only home," Sergeant Kay said. "I've seen marriages, divorces, babies and grandchildren -- we're like a family."

And she said she won't forget that love and loyalty the 710th has for each other.

"I know that when we turn the lights off inside the 710th our relationships will continue to be lit," Sergeant Kay said.

With a final note, Colonel Gonzalez said, "On behalf of the 710th Medical Squadron I'd like to express our gratitude to the Air Force Reserve community for allowing us to be a critical part of their mission and we look forward now as individuals to the opportunity of continuing that same quality of support."

Prior to the final unit training assembly, 10 reservists participated in a mass retirement Oct. 3 at Offutt Air Force Base's Patriot Club. Between them, the retirees spent a combined total of 250 years in the U.S. Air Force.