Med Group receives ‘Excellent’ rating Published Aug. 10, 2009 By Maj. Brian Bowman 139AW/PA Saint Joseph, Mo. -- The 139th Medical Group received a rating of "Excellent" during a Health Services Inspection from an Air Force inspection team, during its visit July 31 through Aug. 2. The compliance inspection tested the unit in its records-keeping areas. Although the results were favorable, 139th Medical Group commander Col. Wayne Echterling said that all of areas of the Med Group were shown areas where they could improve. That message was reinforced by Brig. Gen. John Owen, the Assistant to the Command Surgeon of Air Mobility Command and Director of the Joint Staff of the Missouri National Guard, who was present for the outbrief on the final day. But Owen also expressed his pleasure at the inspection team leader's comment that he would go to war with the unit anytime. Owen urged Med Group members to stay current on records keeping, so they would not get so buried with work and deployments that they would be forced to catch up later. The inspection team singled out four Med Group individuals for outstanding performance: Lt. Col. Kevin Echterling, Master Sgt. Becky Bright, Staff Sgt. Heather Ryberg and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Swopes.