Altus Air Force Base medical squadrons reactivate

  • Published
  • By Michael Fletcher
  • 97th AMW Public Affairs
ALTUS AFB --  Lt. Col. Noemi Allagrin-Lozano assumed command of the reactivated 97th Medical Operations Squadron and Lt. Col. Barbara J. Henning assumed command of the reactivated 97th Medical Support Squadron in ceremonies at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Aug. 17. Both squadrons are part of the 97th Medical Group.

Both squadrons were deactivated Feb. 12 due to an Air Force wide medical group reorganization and force shaping effort where squadrons were to be deactivated. During this period, it was determined by wing leadership across the Air Force, with approval of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, that the Air Force's medical management needs were better supported with the existence of squadrons. This led to the reactivation of all medical squadrons deactivated during the reorganization effort.

Colonel Algarin-Lozano is a chief nurse executive who entered the Air Force in 1989. She is board certified in inpatient obstetrics and has a Master of Science degree in business management. She comes to Altus from a 120-day deployment to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. She is married to Luis A. Lozano and has three sons, Lael, Mario and Alberto.

Colonel Henning comes to Altus from the Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center where she most recently was the point of contact for the rebuilding effort following Hurricane Katrina. Colonel Henning entered the Air Force in 1988 through the nursing program and was commissioned as a medical service corps officer in 1993. Her education includes a Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelors Degree in Science with a major in nursing. She is married to Dr. Robert Henning, EdD and has a son, Jason.