EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Mark A. Ediger, the surgeon general of the Air Force, visited Edwards Air Force Base March 25-27. The purpose of his visit was to receive background on the 412th Test Wing mission and see how he can assist at his level with the mission.
Ediger stopped by the 412th Medical Group's Main Clinic first where he met with the staff and toured the campus. The general then toured the 412th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the flight line and visited the Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Propulsion Division. He also was given a tour of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and met with test wing leadership.
On the second full day of his visit, Ediger was given a proficiency flight aboard an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Ediger serves as a functional manager of the U.S. Air Force Medical Service. In this capacity, he advises the secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff, as well as the assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on matters pertaining to the medical aspects of the air expeditionary force and the health of Air Force people.
Ediger has authority to commit resources worldwide for the Air Force Medical Service, to make decisions affecting the delivery of medical services, and to develop plans, programs and procedures to support worldwide medical service missions. He exercises direction, guidance and technical management of a $6.1 billion, 44,000 person integrated health care delivery system serving 2.6 million beneficiaries at 76 military treatment facilities around the world.