Air Force Surgeon General Retires

Lt. Gen. Charles Green retired as Air Force surgeon general, ending 34 years of uniformed service. Green had been the Air Force’s top doctor since August 2009. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over Green’s retirement ceremony at JB Anacostia-Bolling, D.C., on July 19. Schwartz said Green had a remarkable career and earned the respect of airmen at every post throughout his Active Duty medical service, which began at Eglin AFB, Fla., in June 1978. Schwartz presented Green with the Distinguished Service Medal, along with a letter of appreciation and letters from President Obama and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, according to a July 20 release from the surgeon general’s office. Among his 17 assignments, Green served as the command surgeon for three combatant commands and as the Air Force’s assistant surgeon general for health care operations. Lt. Gen. Thomas Travis has succeeded Green as the Air Force’s surgeon general. (Anacostia-Bolling report by Jon Stock)