New 944th Medical Squadron commander brings wealth of experience Published May 5, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante 944th Fighter Wing LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Lt Col. Alfred C. Rossum succeeded Col. Judith P. Patton as the new commander of the 944th Medical Squadron, here May 5 during an assumption of command ceremony. In his new capacity as the 944 MDS commander the colonel will ensure Reservist assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing are medically ready and worldwide deployable. Although new in the position, Rossum is certainly not a new face in the wing or to the squadron. He spent the last year serving as Chief of Hospital Services for the 944 MDS making sure critical ancillary services such as optometry, radiology, laboratory, audiology, and x-ray were maintained with 100 percent efficiency insuring the highest standards for the members of the 944 FW. Prior to this he served as Chief of Aerospace Medicine for six years. Col. Kurt Gallegos, 944 FW commander, presided over the well attended ceremony. "Thank you all for attending, the best part of my job is being able participation in these types of events. Working with Medical Squadrons I have always found that you all always do outstanding work, are professional, and you make my job easy." Having a background as a Space Medicine fellow and flight surgeon/contractor at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas and several military assignments and deployments Rossum brings a wide range of experience and accomplishments to the job. His elite training has served as an exceptional resource for the wing and the United States Air Force Reserves. When selecting a new commander for this position Gallegos said it was a tough job, however when Rossum interviewed he really stood out. He indicated the new commander has some big shoes to fill but followed with, "I am sure you will do a great job." As Rossum addressed his squadron he spoke about a conversation he had over 20 years ago about command and leadership with a retired colonel and nurse who had served 25 years in the Air Force. She expressed to him that no officer achieved the rank of colonel or the position of command without the endorsement and support of the enlisted. She also stated that the enlisted members are the backbone of the United States Air Force. "I stand here before you and can say that 20 years ago I did not fully grasp the concept of that statement, but today, and over the course of the last 11 years, I fully understand and appreciate the significance and magnitude of that remark," said Rossum. Closing his comments Rossum said, "Those of us who elect to wear this uniform walk down a path that is less traveled by others, it is a path that is built on honor, commitments and service to others. I accept and embrace the position of commander with the same convictions, fortitude and humility that my predecessors have displayed."