Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger pinned on his third star and became the 22nd Air Force Surgeon General during a June 9 ceremony at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Va. Ediger, who previously served as the deputy surgeon general, replaced Lt. Gen. Thomas Travis, who retired June 5 after 39 years in uniform. “Mark is a great officer and great leader,” said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer during the ceremony. “He is the right person to take over and will be a fantastic surgeon general for the Air Force.” In his new role, Ediger will serve as an advisor to top Air Force and Defense Department leaders. He also will manage a $6.6 billion integrated health care delivery system serving 2.6 million beneficiaries at 75 military treatment facilities across the globe, according to a June 9 release. “The Air Force Medical Service provides trusted care, anywhere,” said Ediger. “Trust can’t be assumed, it is earned every day. I am privileged and honored to serve and I pledge my continued commitment to the health and resilience of our airmen and their families.”
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
