U.S. Army Aeromedical Center welcomes new commander

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Center bid farewell to one commander and welcomed another during a June 25 ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.

The traditional passing of the colors from outgoing commander Col. James A. Laterza to incoming commander Col. Gary A. Wheeler marked the official change of command.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Jimmie O. Keenan, commanding general of the Southern Regional Medical Command, said Laterza’s leadership over the past two years brought several accomplishments to Fort Rucker’s health facility. 

Among those was a 96.6 percent overall satisfaction rate among patients at Lyster Army Health Clinic, a number that speaks to the staff’s patient-centered focus, Keenan said.

Wheeler said he looked forward to building on Lyster’s many accomplishments as the clinic continues to serve the Army Aviation community.

“I look forward to building on the absolutely superb job that you have achieved under Colonel Laterza’s leadership and to continue a legacy of outstanding healthcare while promoting optimized health,” he said.

Wheeler joined the U.S. Army after obtaining his bachelor of science in electrical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He then attended the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Wheeler also holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Some of Wheeler’s past assignments include internal medicine consultant with the Office of the Surgeon General; chief of the department of medicine for Madigan Army Medical Center; deputy commander for clinical services at Weed Army Community Hospital and chief of the Internal Medicine Continuity Clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

He has received the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and several other awards and decorations.

Laterza, who will go on to serve as the chief of staff for the Europe Regional Medical Command in Germany, said his time at Fort Rucker helped him realize how important excellent healthcare is for professional aviators.

“Without the privilege of serving here, I might not have gained a full appreciation for the mental and physical demands of the aviation occupations or the intensity of the healthcare focus required to ensure they are able to perform their mission every day,” he said.

Laterza said although he would miss the Fort Rucker community, he was proud to relinquish his command over to Wheeler.   

“I am excited for Colonel Wheeler, his wife Wendy and their family as they inherit a great organization and become members of this tremendous community,” Laterza said. “Kristy and I will miss the USAACE, Fort Rucker and the people of Alabama, who are some of the finest you will ever meet.”