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Change of command for Medical Group

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Angela Walz
  • 162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TUCSON, Ariz. --  Col. Greg Stroud, 162nd Fighter Wing commander, officiated a change of command ceremony here where Lt. Col. Eric Kendle assumed command of the 162nd Medical Group from Col. James Balserak, Feb. 7.

Lieutenant Colonel Kendle has served all 18 of his years in the Air National Guard here in Tucson, alongside Colonel Balserak.

"In my years of service, this medical group has done satisfactorily, excellent and outstanding on health services inspections, but not twice in a row yet," he said. He further challenged the men and women of the medical group to always conduct business with a professional smile, to put others at ease, to continuously pursue excellence, and to consistently and persistently offer outstanding service.

Colonel Kendle thanked the wing for its continued support of the medical group and expressed his gratefulness to Colonel Balserak for his service and the achievements the medical group accomplished under his leadership.

"This team is more than the men and women of the medical group," said Colonel Kendle. "It is the combined resources of all who serve and all who support the greatest medical group in the world. Thank you to each of you for allowing me to be your commander."

Colonel Balserak served five years as commander of the 162nd Medical Group and has 22 years of service. As commander, he was responsible for overseeing and implementing the successful peacetime and wartime Medical Group Force Health Management missions, and restored and restructured all program elements required for consistent Homeland Security and deployment achievement.

"I've always said the success of a commander is not based on what he or she has done, but on the accomplishments of his people," said Colonel Balserak. "You have excelled, and of that I am proud."