News

Aeromedical Squadron recognized AFRC’s best

  • Published
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The 446th Airlift Wing Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron was recognized as the Air Force Reserve Command’s Squadron of the Year, Outstanding AFRC Aeromedical Aircrew Officer of the Year and Outstanding AFRC Aeromedical Aircrew SNCO of the Year.

Commanded by Col. Cheryl Knight, the squadron exceeded AE aircrew member training hour goal by 61 percent and authored a benchmark procedure evaluation process that standardized evaluations across all 18 AE squadrons. 

Supporting the community, the squadron organized and taught JROTC expeditionary first responder skills and supported a WomenFly Museum of Flight event in Seattle. 

“Having AFRC recognize our Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron as the best in the command is an accolade that speaks to the exceptional abilities and dedication of each member of the squadron,” said Col. Sean P. Pierce, 446th AW commander. “Through Colonel Knight’s leadership, they’re making game-changing improvements to the AE community.”

Maj. Benjamin Schultze, 446th AW flight nurse, was recognized as the Outstanding AFRC Aeromedical Aircrew Officer of the Year and Senior Master Sgt. Kristy Wellman, 446th AES technician, was recognized as Outstanding AFRC Aeromedical Aircrew SNCO of the Year.

Yale graduate and acute care nurse practitioner, Dr. Schultze is a Reserve Citizen Airman working full-time as an assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University. As part of his reserve duties, Schultze singlehandedly authored 40 hours of AE curriculum and is one of 12 experts throughout the AE community invited by the Air Mobility Command’s Surgeon General to research how simulators can improve training. 

Serving as the squadron’s operations superintendent, Wellman helped improve interoperability with total force AE squadrons and spearheaded enlisted force development initiatives. She coordinated the squadron’s Race for a Soldier/PTSD memorial partnership advocating for healing and awareness. Advancing her education, she is pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree.

AFRC and the Air National Guard support the bulk of AE operations. The ANG has ten AE squadrons and AFRC has a total of 18 AE squadrons. There are four active duty AE squadrons.

AE works in concert with 1,900 combat ready Reserve Citizen Airmen with the 446th AW in support worldwide airlift operations and deployments.