Ft. Gillem based unit comes home

News: Ft. Gillem based unit comes home

3rd Medical Deployment Support Command

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Story by Maj. John Heil Follow This Journalist

Maj. John Heil

Soldiers and family readiness group members of the 3rd Medical Command stand in front of the welcome home sign at Ft. Gillem, Ga. The Soldiers and family readiness group members decorated the front of the Reserve Center in preparation of the troops welcome home celebration. Third MEDCOM Soldiers served a year in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Third MEDCOM, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ronald Silverman, ensured that American servicemen and women were provided the best medical care. Silverman commanded medical units above division level, which included three split-based Army Combat Support Hospitals, an Air Force Theater Hospital, and two multi-functional medical battalions. Task Force 3 comprised more than 3,200 Soldiers and Airmen and more than 32 medical units spread througout Iraq.

By Maj. John Heil
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
3rd Medical Command

FOREST PARK, GA – In a journey there is a beginning and an end. The 3rd Medical Command (known as Task Force 3rd MEDCOM in Iraq) ended its year-long journey in Iraq as the bulk of its Soldiers arrived in Atlanta from the mobilization site at Ft. McCoy, Wis., Aug. 24.

In Iraq, Task Force 3rd MEDCOM transferred authority of its medical units to Task Force 62nd Medical Brigade in the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, Iraq, on Aug. 15 as Maj. Gen. Ronald Silverman and Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Schulz cased the 3rd MEDCOM colors and Col. Patrick Sargent and Command Sgt. Maj. Eugene Jeffers uncased the 62nd Medical Bde. colors.

In Iraq, Task Force 3rd MEDCOM's mission was to provide service-members with the best possible medical and health care. The survivability rate is higher than it has ever been in the history of war and the return to duty rate has been estimated at 97 percent.

Silverman is the highest ranking medical officer to command troops during combat operations in the history of the U.S. Army. His forces included three split-based Army Combat Support Hospitals, one Air Force Theater Hospital, and two Multi-functional Medical Battalions with various type medical units under their command. In total, Task Force 3rd MEDCOM comprised of more than 30 medical units with over 3,200 Soldiers and Airmen throughout Iraq.

During the transfer of authority, Silverman thanked Schulz for helping him keep his sense of perspective. "He (Schulz) made sure I remained clear that it's always first and foremost about the Soldiers," said Silverman, "General officers don't fight the wars or provide the medical care - the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines do that."

As Silverman reflected on the deployment, he recognized two Soldiers who lost their lives. "Col. Brian Allgood, the MNF-I (Multi-National Forces-Iraq) surgeon and Capt. Maria Ortiz, a nurse at the 28th Combat Support Hospital, will always remain with me in spirit," said Silverman, "My year here has constantly reminded me that life is very special, but also very fragile."

While 3rd MEDCOM Soldiers at Ft. McCoy, Wis., prepared to come home, 3rd MEDCOM Soldiers at Ft. Gillem, Ga., prepared to welcome them. Soldiers along with the family readiness group prepared yellow ribbons and small American flags to line the front entry way, decorated the assembly hall and topped it off with a welcome home sign right above the front entry way of the reserve center.

Brig. Gen. Richard Stone, deputy commander, 3rd MEDCOM, and Brig. Gen. Robin Umberg, deputy commander of clinical services, welcomed the returning Soldiers along with 3rd MEDCOM Soldiers and family members who were eagerly awaiting their loved ones. In with the welcoming group were also Soldiers who returned from Iraq ahead of the main group to assist with the homecoming.

Third MEDCOM is the senior deployable medical command in the U.S. Army. Its integrated staff of active duty, active Guard/Reserve, National Guard, Reserve Soldiers and civilian employees stand ready to deploy worldwide in support of contingency operations.

A formal welcome home ceremony for 3rd MEDCOM is scheduled the first weekend in December. Media interested in covering the formal welcome home ceremony should contact Maj. John Heil, deputy public affairs officer, at 404-469-4108 or john.heil@us.army.mil.