Tudela named new 624th AMDF commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Kenneth Lute, 624th Regional Support Group commander, passes the 624th Aerospace Medicine Flight’s guidon to the incoming commander Lt. Col. John Tudela during an assumption of command ceremony Dec. 11, 2016 at the Sunrise Conference Center, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The 624th AMDF supports the 624th Regional Support Group’s mission to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments in the Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)

Tudela named new 624th AMDF commander

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Tudela, the new 624th Aerospace Medicine Flight commander, addresses the audience during an assumption of command ceremony Dec. 11, 2016 at the Sunrise Conference Center, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The 624th AMDF supports the 624th Regional Support Group’s mission to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments in the Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)

Tudela named new 624th AMDF commander

Tudela named new 624th commander

Published Dec. 19, 2016
By Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann
624th Regional Support Group

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Lt. Col. John M. Tudela, a native Chammaro from the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, assumed command of the Air Force Reserve’s 624th Aerospace Medicine Flight, during an assumption of command ceremony, Dec. 11, at the Sunrise Conference Center.

As commander, Tudela is responsible for the training of medical personnel to ensure full wartime mission capability, provide physical exams and immunizations to 624 RSG units in Guam, and expeditiously mobilize medically ready and expert personnel to staff a 50-bed Aeromedical Staging Facility in place or in a deployed location.

“I am happy to stand before you and officially take on this position to lead you towards what will be a storied career for all of us, Team 624 AMDF,” said Tudela, during the ceremony.

Tudela addressed his new command, expressing the importance of teamwork.

“As my family, friends, colleagues and superiors bear witness today, I am in it…to win it! Let’s truly make it count,” said Tudela. “Every single member of the 624th AMDF has an important job to do and we cannot be successful without your expertise, experience and willingness to go all in.”

Tudela began his military career by receiving a direct commission into the U.S. Air Force as a Captain in 2002. He served active duty tours at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. After separating from active duty in 2008, Tudela spent time honing his skills and expertise as a civilian physician practicing in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

In 2010, he returned to serve in the Air Force Reserve and completed his training as a residency trained flight surgeon. From 2010-2012 he was assigned to the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam before transferring to the 624th AMDF, in Guam, to serve as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine where he ensured the medical readiness for more than 200 members.
In his civilian career, Tudela continues to practice medicine on the island of Saipan and serves as the current Director of Medical Affairs at the Commonwealth Health Center.