News

Dental Squadron becomes Dental Flight

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Dental Squadron’s guidon was cased in a squadron inactivation ceremony, formally inactivating the squadron, June, 28, 2016, at the Air Mobility Command Museum on Dover AFB.

“Today we honor the 436th Dental Squadron as we inactivate it,” said Col. Kathryn Weiss, 436th Medical Group commander. “We also have to say goodbye to its leader for the past two years, Lt. Col. Eric Baugh.”

For the customer, there will be no visible changes in appearance or services provided. The dental clinic will remain open and function normally. The only changes are administrative; the former squadron is now re-designated a flight, under the 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron.

The 436th DS was originally constituted on Aug. 21, 1992, and it initially activated Oct. 1, 1992, under the command of the 436th MDG. On Aug. 29, 2000, the squadron was inactivated for the first time. It remained inactive until Sept. 10, 2008, when it was reactivated, remaining so until now. During this lineage, the squadron has been under the command of eight commanders, the last being Lt. Col. Eric Baugh. Throughout this time, the squadron has won the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award and six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.

For Baugh, the out-going commander, the ceremony was emotional.

“I don’t look at these members as a squadron,” he said. “They truly are family. I am proud of their accomplishments over the past two years. The men and women of this dental clinic are the ones who made a difference.”

In the modern Air Force, the guidon is a visual record of a unit’s battles, campaigns and awards. As the 436th DS is inactivating, and the reins of command are being relinquished, the casing of a unit’s guidon is a closing chapter in a unit’s history. The guidon is not destroyed, but it is retired. If in the future the Air Force chooses to reactivate the unit, the guidon will be returned to active duty to serve as a rallying point. It becomes the challenge of the new squadron to add to its distinguished service and rich history.

Baugh ended his remarks with one simple phrase, the squadron’s slogan.

“The only thing I have left to say is, WITHOUT TEETH!,” he yelled proudly.

“YOU SUCK!,” replied his squadron.