DAFPD40-8 — Air Force Medical Service (afms)

DAFPD40-8 governs Air Force Medical Service policy for using people and resources and preparing medical personnel.

Search DAFPD40-8

  • Publication number: DAFPD40-8
  • Title: AIR FORCE MEDICAL SERVICE (AFMS)
  • Date: 2025-06-18

View DAFPD40-8 on armypubs.army.mil


It sets out AF/SG and AFMEDCOM commander roles, command relationships, readiness reporting, and tasking. It establishes requirements for medically ready forces, training, deployment, and medical response, and compliance is mandatory.

Applies to: This policy applies to civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, U.S. Space Force (USSF), Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), and those with a contractual obligation to abide by the terms of Department of the Air Force (DAF) publications.

Topics covered

  • Air Force Medical Service command structure
  • Medical readiness
  • AFMEDCOM command relationships
  • Readiness reporting and tasking
  • Deployment-ready medical forces
  • Accelerated medical training programs
  • Disaster medical response

Questions and answers

What command structure does AFMS provide through AFMEDCOM?

Provide a command structure through AFMEDCOM that enables unity of command; that generates medically ready forces for the USAF and USSF; and ensures a ready medical force. (paragraph 2)

What does AFMEDCOM collaborate with DHA to do?

AFMEDCOM will collaborate with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to meet their statutory mandate providing the healthcare benefit, enabling unity of effort and maximizing clinical currency platforms. (paragraph 2)

What must the AFMEDCOM Commander present?

Present deployment ready medical forces that can operate as seamless members of the expeditionary USAF and USSF. (paragraph 3)

What training priorities must the AFMEDCOM Commander establish?

Establish necessary priorities to ensure accelerated training programs and quotas for medical personnel, especially in areas of skill shortages, in support of DAF requirements. (paragraph 3)

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