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New leadership at 375th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Lt. Col. James Coker, 375th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander, assumed command June 27. The 375th AMDS delivers comprehensive aerospace and operational medical services to the base.

Coker is responsible for organizing, training and equipping a staff of 80 military, civilian, and contract personnel assigned to Flight Medicine, Public Health, Optometry, Bioenvironmental Engineering and the Health and Wellness Center to ensure mission execution with ready Airmen, a healthy community and strong community partnerships.

What led you to joining the Air Force?

I joined the Air Force to be able to afford college and to travel the world. The Air Force has offered me the chance to do both. I used my GI Bill to fund my Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, and I have been fortunate to have been stationed in Europe and the Pacific, as well as several humanitarian missions and deployments throughout my career. I am thankful to the Air Force for providing me with these opportunities and so much more.

What have been some of your favorite memories?

My favorite memories have been made with all of the wonderful people that I have met throughout my career. Also, my humanitarian deployments working with underprivileged personnel in Haiti and serving on the team to open Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. In addition, my year attending Air Command and Staff College getting to know my line, joint and international colleagues and the friendships and mentors made in one year that will last a lifetime.

What is your leadership philosophy?

It's as simple as ABC. Accountability always, Be courteous and kind to customers, family and ourselves, and Change; be able to adapt to change and make the changes necessary to make it better and be the best in everything we do.

What can your troops expect from you?

They can expect that I will provide fair and consistent leadership in a fun-filled working environment that ensures quality and safe preventive health and patient care.

What do you want from your troops?

To guarantee that they always provide their best effort in their personal and professional lives. To provide the best customer service internally and externally for everyone.

Who are your heroes?

Two famous scientists for their dedication to science and public Health. John Snow, the father of epidemiology, developed the first dot map to illustrate clusters of cholera cases and used statistics to prove a correlation and connection between a contaminated street pump and personnel being infected with cholera. Despite the political controversy his theories created, he pursued the science and continued to promote public health for all.

Another scientist, Marie Curie is also my hero. She was a French citizen who never lost her cultural identity. She excelled in science, which was rare for women during her time, and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She was so dedicated to be the best in her field that she sacrificed her health and eventually died of exposure to radiation brought on by her work and research in radioactivity.