72nd MDOS welcomes new commander June 30 Published July 10, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Lt. Col. Kevin McCal accepted command of the 72nd Medical Operations Squadron June 30. Standing in front of roughly 75 attendees at Bldg. 5801's north entrance, Lt. Col. Jill Scheckel relinquished command of the squadron and accepted an award for her service. Col. Robert Marks, 72nd Medical Group commander, presided over the ceremony. "Kevin is the right person for the job and I have no doubt he will continue the tradition of excellence," said Colonel Marks. Colonel McCal, a licensed clinical psychologist, came to Tinker from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. There he served as the deputy commander to the 99th Medical Operations Squadron and flight commander of the 99th Medical Group's Mental Health Flight. "Thank you for selecting me and placing your trust in my ability to take on this job," Colonel McCal said. "I will not take that lightly and I will maintain the role of excellence that the Airmen of the 72nd [MDOS] have shown for years and years, and will continue to show in the years of the future." During Colonel Scheckel's tenure -- which began in July 2007 -- the squadron won 32 Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command and 72nd Air Base Wing awards. Her efforts also saved the Air Force more than $250,000 by reducing the family practice no-show rate by 40 percent and un-booked appointments by 50 percent. Additionally, she saved the Air Force $400,000 in private-sector costs by condensing local care network visits by 50 percent. For her efforts, Colonel Marks presented Colonel Scheckel with a meritorious service medal, second oak leaf cluster. "Since the day I arrived, I've been incredibly impressed with Colonel Scheckel," Colonel Marks said. "She ran her squadron with a single vision - take care of the staff and help them take care of the patients." Before stepping down as commander, Colonel Scheckel thanked her unit and the support from leadership. "It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as the commander of the 72nd Medical Operations Squadron," she said.