TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma -- 72nd Air Base Wing Commander Kenyon K. Bell presided over the 72nd Medical Group’s change of command as Col. Jennifer L. Trinkle accepted the 72nd Medical Group’s guidon on a sunny June 11 morning at the Airman 1st Class LaKesha Richardson Levy Memorial Garden at Tinker Air Force Base.
Bell commented on the distinguished accomplishments that marked Col. Christopher M. Grussendorf's time in command and highlighted Trinkle's track record of stellar performance that make her the perfect choice to lead the 72nd MDG
Col. Trinkle’s assumption of command of the 72nd Medical Group means she will oversee 500 medics to deliver outpatient health services to more than 17,000 enrolled patients and 63,000 regional TRICARE beneficiaries. She will also ensure medical readiness for the U.S. Air Force’s largest Air Logistics Complex, Air Combat Command’s second largest Wing, U.S. Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing One, and 42 other mission partner organizations.
“Col. Bell, thank you for your support and endorsement and I look forward to the challenges ahead and to being a servant leader for Team Tinker,” Trinkle said.
Col. Bell thanked Col. Christopher M. Grussendorf for his two years of service as the commander of the 72nd Medical Group and his wife, Lisa, and their five children, which he described as “model citizens” at Tinker AFB. Grussendorf will soon begin a new assignment with the USAF Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
Grussendorf is well-acquainted with Trinkle because they both served as medical leaders at Robins AFB in Georgia at approximately the same time (2014-2016). Prior to becoming the new commander of the 72nd Medical Group, Trickle served as the commander of the 78th Medical Operations Squadron at Robins AFB and Grussendorf commanded the 78th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, where he also served as the deputy medical group commander.
While Grussendorf served at Tinker AFB, Trinkle served as the master clinician, Critical Care, 96th Inpatient Squadron at Eglin AFB in Florida. While there, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the 55-bed Medical/Surgical Unit and Critical Care Unit to ensure staffing requirements were met for 92,000 beneficiaries.
Due to his many accomplishments as commander of the 72nd Medical Group, Grussendorf received a citation and the “Legion of Merit” medal for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.
“It has truly been a privilege and a joy to serve with a team of champions on an installation of excellence,” Grussendorf said. “A question I often get is, ‘What is your favorite Air Force assignment?’ Now as someone who loves the USAF and has many great assignments, that is an extremely hard question to answer, but today, I can tell you that these past two years assigned to Tinker AFB have been the very best; it boils down to the mission and the people.”
He said that when he arrived, he asked the 72nd Medical Group to treat Team Tinker’s patients like family and “they far exceeded my expectations.” Grussendorf also described his pride in working with the “finest medical leadership team that I’ve had the privilege to work in my Air Force career.”
“Jen, we lead squadrons together at Robins AFB; I know you and you know me well,” he said. “I was overjoyed to learn that you’d be our next 72nd Med Group commander. All I learned about excellence in providing primary care I learned by watching you there.
“Now you, the master, are here to lead our Team Tinker Wildcatter medics. But what encourages me most as I hand off the guidon today is to know your heart, your love and the commitment you have for your Airmen.”
Trinkle thanked Tinker AFB, community leaders and the Grussendorf family for their dedicated service.
“It’s always nice when you run into friends from a past assignment, but it’s even better when you get to take up the torch of leadership of such great mentors and friends,” she said. “Thank you for your leadership and care of the great medics of the 72nd Medical Group; you leave a legacy that we will strive to build upon.”