NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The 926th Aerospace Medicine Squadron welcomes a new commander during a change of command ceremony on Oct. 20, 2019 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
When he accepted the squadron’s guidon during the ceremony, Lt. Col. Larry Yu, a 926th flight surgeon and chief of aerospace medicine for the squadron, succeeded Lt. Col. Ryan Jodoi as commander of a more than 80-person unit.
When asked what he hoped to gain by being a commander, Yu responded with “I would like to see our members grow and accomplish their personal goals as well as become solid military leaders.”
Yu’s path to command was slightly unusual, as he had a 14-year break in service. However, it was a chance meeting six years ago at church that led Yu to join the Air Force Reserve, and subsequently the 926th AMDS.
“I missed working with professionals with the similar goals and ideology. I was over the hump so to speak for time in (over 12 years total) so several military colleagues said I should just do the rest and get it over with,” he said. “I discovered this unit [926th AMDS] and they had a need for an experienced flight doc.”
“There is a certain satisfaction in knowing that you are needed and can make a difference.”
As a civilian, Yu is partner in a private practice in Henderson, Nevada, with Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) Consultants. In August, Yu was named one of the Top Doctors of 2019 by Nevada Public Radio.
The 926th AMDS is a direct reporting unit to the 926th WG.
Col. Sean Carpenter, the 926th wing commander, presided over the ceremony.