The Air Force Medical Services supports the U.S. Air Force and Space Force through the provision of full spectrum medical readiness to the more than 200,000 Airmen and Guardians currently engaged in operations around the globe, while also delivering health care to 2.6 million patients.

On June 9, 2020, the U.S. Air Force placed deliberate emphasis on a culture of inclusion by standing up a Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. The D&I Task Force was charged with identifying and changing policies, procedures, barriers and other practices that might be unfairly impacting underrepresented Air and Space personnel.

On June 18, 2020, the Secretary of Defense announced the DoD wouldtakea very direct and deliberate posture to address D&I issues. The goal was to thoroughly assess D&I within the Armed Services and to develop actionable items for immediate, mid- and long-term implementation.

In August 2020, the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General and the Chief, Medical Enlisted Force and Enlisted Corps Chief, stood up the AFMS Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Since then, the AFMS/ODI has actively worked to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion within the AFMS by utilizing four distinct Lines of Effort.

The International Health Specialist Program, established in 2000 by former Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Paul K Carlton Jr., extends the operational reach of the Joint Forces. This cadre of health professionals bring diversified international skills and knowledge of military and civilian health disciplines to full time advisor roles within Combatant Commands, Major Commands and Air Force Component Commands in support of Global Health Engagement strategies.

There are more than 300 Air Force International Health Specialists at military treatment facilities around the globe, ready to respond to global health engagement assignments, humanitarian assistance operations and major disasters.

Mission: To optimally shape conditions through health-related opportunities that align with the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and National Military Strategy as expressed in CCMD campaign plans throughout all phases of conflict.

The International Health Specialist Program has led global health engagements for the past 20 years. The capabilities developed during these engagements continue to be utilized in real world scenarios.

U.S. Air Force Col. Wesley Palmer, International Health Specialist Program Director, and Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, discuss the 20th Anniversary of the International Health Specialist Program and how the program fits into her vision for the Air Force Medical Service and the medic of 2030. More