POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Team Pope waved farewell to the 43rd Medical Group as it transitioned to the 43rd Medical Squadron during a ceremony June 30.

In addition to the transition to a medical squadron, the 43rd Medical Squadron also passed authority over the Pope Clinic to Womack Army Medical Center from Fort Bragg.

Even though the Pope Clinic transferred to the Army, the Airmen of the 43rd Medical Squadron, combined with the Soldiers of Womack Army Medical Center are dedicated to providing the same medical care to service members, dependants and retirees that it always has.

"I couldn't be more proud of the Pope/Bragg partnership than I am today as we face this transition together as Air Force and Army," said Col. James Johnson, 43rd Airlift Wing Commander, during his speech at the ceremony. "People say that Pope and Bragg are not a joint base, but in truth, we are. Because of our outstanding partnership, the transition of the Pope Clinic to Womack's control will be transparent to the care that our Airmen and their families receive."

For the past several months, Soldiers and civilian staff from Womack have been working hand-in-hand with 43rd MDG staff in order to prepare for the transition.

"Womack will now be responsible for the day-to-day operations and ancillary support of the Pope Clinic," said Army Lt. Col. Michael Henry Officer In-charge of the Clinic. "The most notable change that will be seen by the Pope Clinic customers will be that they will see Womack employees at the front desk and in the lab or radiology.

"Airmen will continue to see the 43rd MDS staff. All patients will continue to come to the Pope Clinic for their care," he added.

The clinic is not the only service that has been transferred to Womack's care though. Dental Clinic functions are also handled by Womack staff.

"We are concentrating on taking care of our Soldiers and Airmen by making sure they receive the same quality care that they are used to and delivered in the same manner they are accustomed too," said Army Col. Ronald Mikaloff, Dental Command Commander. "The Pope Dental Clinic used the Womack dental services as a referral option in the past; this integration allows us to cooperate and better serve our customers."

This transition marks the first step toward the final structure and re-designation of Pope Air Force Base to Pope Field and is a key part of the 43rd Airlift Wing's cooperation with Fort Bragg during the BRAC process.