MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 366th Dental Squadron was named the best medium-sized dental clinic in the Air Force for 2009.
Last year, the 366th DS received an outstanding score on the health services inspection and contributed to the overall 366th Medical Group's health services inspection rating of excellent.
"The outstanding score contributes to the 366th Fighter Wing and says a lot of how we develop and deploy our Airmen, take care of Gunfighters and prepare them for deployment at a moment's notice," said Lt. Col. Eric Cathey, 366th Dental Squadron commander.
Last year, the wing's dental readiness ratings were between 97 and 98 percent for personnel ready to deploy. Class 1, people who don't need any dental treatment, are required to be at 65 percent, the dental squadron currently has the wing at a Class 1 readiness rate of 80 percent.
The 366th DS won the Air Combat Command Medium-Sized Dental Clinic of the Year in 2007 and 2009, and this is the first year they have earned the Air Force-level award.
"The men and women who serve in this squadron, their professionalism, talent and skills along with the phenomenal things they do on a daily basis are the reasons we received this award," Colonel Cathey said.
Gen. William M. Fraser III, ACC commander, passed on his congratulations to the dental squadron to Col. John Bird, 366th Fighter Wing commander.
"This is a job well done. Please pass on my appreciation for all their hard work and service to our nation," General Fraser said.
"This is outstanding news for the 366th Dental Squadron. This is a great honor for our dental team and a very well deserved honor," Colonel Bird said.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)