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15th Medical Operations Squadron Welcomes New Commander

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Kathleen Eisenbrey
  • 15th Medical Squadron
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Command of the 15th Medical Operations Squadron transitioned from Lt. Col. René Chadwell to Lt. Col. Michael Fea during a change of command ceremony on August 2 at Atterbury Circle on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Col. Robie Hughes, 15th Medical Group commander, presided over the ceremony and highlighted Chadwell's accomplishments over the past two years as the 15th MDOS commander and Biomedical Sciences Corps advisor.

"Our mission is to take care of our people," said Hughes. "René has invested her heart and soul [in her people]. Her true gift is to mentor ... she is a spectacular, full-throttle leader who will be dearly missed."

During her command, Chadwell's accomplishments include directing six clinics to provide $8-million in healthcare and more than 30,000 patient visits annually. Her outstanding leadership was instrumental in earning the coveted Air Force Medical Service Biomedical Sciences Corps Team of the Year award in 2011.

According to Chadwell, she leaves the command of MDOS in capable hands as she "developed a huge respect for Fea's leadership and officership" when they served together on Joint Staff the Pentagon.

"I cannot think of a finer leader to entrust the reins of this squadron," said Chadwell.

Hughes welcomed Fea to the MDOS command.

"You are entering a command [comprised of] a stellar group of people," she said. "You will have an opportunity to touch lives like you never have before. I welcome you to our team and I thank you for your service."

Fea most recently served as the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight Commander at the 79th Medical Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., where he managed the occupational and environmental health surveillance for 132 industrial work centers within five wings. He led the impressive, 96-member Air Force District of Washington Chemical, Biological and Radiological/Nuclear Response Force as well as managed a diverse team comprised of 25 military and civilian employees on a daily basis.

Prior to his assignment at Joint Base Andrews, Fea worked as a medical action officer in the Joint Logistics Directorate at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. During his time at the Pentagon, his duties involved supporting the Joint Staff Surgeon as a medical advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"Command is a privilege ... an opportunity given to few that will last a lifetime," said Fea. "Thank you for all each and every one of you has done to project peace and power throughout the Pacific. You're the reason that the Medical Group [is recognized] for patient care. I look forward to leading you with honor in respect to our squadron's motto, 'Imua Lokahi,' which means 'Onward, Together.'"