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505th Command and Control Wing News

DHA Acting Director tours MacDill AFB to enhance joint force medical readiness

  • Published
  • By A1C Helen Ly
  • 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Dr. David J. Smith, acting director of the Defense Health Agency, visited MacDill Air Force Base on Aug. 6, 2025, to meet with leaders from the 6th Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.

Smith was briefed on efforts to improve medical readiness across the joint force and toured the 6th Medical Group, the DHA’s largest outpatient single-unit, serving over 145,000 military personnel, retirees and dependents in the Tampa area. He also visited the group’s satellite drive-through pharmacy and held a town hall at the Davis Conference Center, addressing 6th Medical Group members’ questions about upcoming Department of Defense policy changes and health initiatives.

Smith oversees DHA efforts to advance deployment medicine, disaster support, medical research and readiness for 2.3 million service members.