Virgle Herrin

The 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), commonly known as 3rd MEDCOM, was originally constituted in 1942 as the 3rd Auxiliary Surgical Group, providing critical medical support during World War II in the European Theater. Reactivated and redesignated over the decades, the unit played a pivotal role during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, delivering comprehensive medical care to U.S. and coalition forces. Based in Forest Park, Georgia, 3rd MEDCOM is now responsible for command and control of deployed medical units across the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The unit continues to support global contingency missions, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, ensuring medical readiness and lifesaving care for Soldiers and allies.

The 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) was activated on 16 August 1984 at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, to provide medical command and control for U.S. Army forces throughout the Pacific region. Its mission included planning, coordinating, and supervising health service support during both peacetime and contingency operations across the vast Pacific theater. The unit played a vital role in numerous joint exercises, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief operations, ensuring medical readiness and support across U.S. Army Pacific units. The 18th Medical Command was inactivated in 2016, with its mission and responsibilities transitioning to the 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) (Provisional) and subsequently to other medical units within the region.