The Pentagon has bowed to service wisdom when it comes to consolidating medical operations, issuing a statement Tuesday that says it has decided on a “new approach for governance and management of the military health system” and adding that the “concept does not seek a total medical joint command structure.” Air Force leaders made the case earlier this year that removing control over the operational aspects of its health care program was a non-starter. Under the new concept “command authority remains with the military services and combatant commands” and such things as education and training, medical research, and logistics are to be consolidated over the next two years.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
