KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Col. Beatrice Dolihite, incoming 81st Medical Group commander, took command from Col. Jeannine Ryder, outgoing 81st MDG commander, during a change of command ceremony here June 22.
Col. Debra Lovette, 81st Training Wing commander, presided over the ceremony.
Dolihite came to Keesler Air Force Base from the 42nd Medical Group, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
"My role is to serve you and support you as your commander,” said Dolihite. “I will strive to provide you with the tools and resources you need to do your job. I am very excited to work alongside you over the next few years.”
Ryder expressed her gratitude to the men and women of the 81st MDG in her final address as commander.
"To the men and women of the 81st MDG, I am honored to be your commander,” said Ryder. “Continue to be the best in the Air Force. Continue to give safe quality care. Continue to take care of each other. Continue to do a magnificent job in training our next generation of medics and continue to make our patients feel your compassion and dedication and continue to be the best you can be."
Ryder’s next assignment will be at the Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where she will be the surgeon general.