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Fairchild inactivates reserve unit

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Larry W. Carpenter Jr.
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The 604th MDS, a tenant reserve unit here, held an inactivation ceremony on Nov. 3, 2007 with the official inactivation of the unit taking place Nov. 30.

Through the years, the 604th has held several other names in its 57 years of existence but the Airmen continually served to the utmost of their ability for their country, state, and the person sitting next to them.

"I can honestly say that in over 21 and a half years of military service that the 604th Medical Squadron has far exceeded any unit I've been a part of," said Master Sgt. Deborah Proctor, 604th MDS first sergeant. "The members of this unit are not only true professionals and the best at what they do, but they are also a family who looks out for one another and cherishes time spent together."

The ceremony was a very emotional time for some of the members who were involved. Some former members of the 604th traveled great distances to take part in the ceremony.

"The ceremony was very emotional and difficult for people," said Colonel Nagafuchi. "It was a very solemn day with lots of tears."

The inactivation ceremony was also attended by the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander and vice commander, 92nd medical group commander, former commanders of the 604th as well as many other men and women of Team Fairchild.

"The 604th MDS is absolutely the finest group of Air Force reservists. They are totally dedicated to the mission, their fellow members, and their country," said Col. Karen Nagafuchi, 604th MDS commander. "They are patriots extraordinaire who are the heart and soul of the United States Air Force Reserve. It has been the climax of my career to have been their commander. This was absolutely the best assignment I've had in the 27 years of my military career."

The men and women of the 604th have been faced with tremendous adversity and many challenges that come with the task of this magnitude. Throughout the last eight months as the 604th prepared for the inactivation, the Airmen stayed completely focused and dedicated. The 55 members of the unit stayed 100-percent trained on everything while this was going on.

"I'm very proud of the Airmen in the 604th. The closure has been really hard on them but they took on the task selflessly," said Colonel Nagafuchi.

Colonel Nagafuchi took the 604th assignment knowing that the inactivation could take place in the near future but was prepared to handle the task. The colonel will have roughly 13 months as commander when the inactivation is official.

"If the inactivation was going to happen to these folks, I wanted to be apart of their transition," she said.

The members of the 604th will be dispersed through different avenues to provide them an opportunity to continue serving; some members will be assigned to other bases, some took the "Blue to Green" option and joined the Army, others went into the guard, while some decided on retirement.

"It's the people. I feel like the 'mother hen' and it was very important to me that everyone had the opportunity to carry on their career," said Colonel Nagafuchi. "It was extremely important to me."

Getting the inactivation completed in the limited amount of time available would have been more difficult if others hadn't been supportive during this time according to Colonel Nagafuchi.

"I would like to thank Col. Robert Singler, 349th Medical Group commander, for all of his help during this time and Col Richard Stephens 604th Regional Support Group commander for his leadership. Special thanks to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing," said Colonel Nagafuchi. "The base here has just been phenomenal."

So as this chapter in the history of the 604th MDS closes, a new chapter will begin for the men and women who served there.