Col Patricia A. “Trish” Wilkinson
Col Patricia A. Wilkinson, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC is the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Commander, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. As the commander she leads the airmen of the 446 ASTS, with a wartime mission to deploy personnel providing nursing and specialty functions of up to a 250 – bed Expeditionary readiness patient staging facility. The ASTS is fully capable of rapidly deploying resources for mental health triage and traumatic stress management, critical care expertise on aeromedical evacuation missions, as well as environmental and disease assessments at deployed locations. She oversees training, credentialing of providers, and chairs the Executive Management Committee.
Col Wilkinson has deployed in support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE, IRAQI FREEDON, and ENDURING FREEDOM, flying over 140 hours administering direct patient care to critically ill patients on C-17, C-130 and KC-135 aircrafts. Col Wilkinson’s civilian job history includes flight RN for Air Ambulance Specialists, Emergency Medicine RN, and Adjunct clinical faculty for Goldfarb School of Nursing. She currently practices clinically as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care and is the APP Director of Clinical Operations for 90 Critical Care Advanced Practice Providers (APP) for Washington University School of Medicine.
Col Wilkinson graduated from St. Clair High School in 1997 and joined the Air National Guard in 1998, attending basic training that summer and technical school as a 3A information management specialist in 1999 and was assigned to the 157th Air Operations Group at Jefferson Barracks. She continued her education while enlisted and commissioned in 2004 and transferred to Scott AFB to train as a CCATT nurse before transitioning to the Chief Nurse of the 932nd AMDS from 2017 - 2020. Prior to this assignment, Col Wilkinson served as IMA to the Deputy Command Nurse at HQ AFRC. Col Wilkinson resides in St. Louis, MO.
EDUCATION
2001 NCO Prep Course – non-residence
2003 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO
2004 Commissioned Officer Training School, in-residence
2005 Critical Care Air Transport Team, Basic Course
2007 Critical Care Air Transport Team, Advanced Course
2008 Junior Officer Leadership and Development Seminar (IJOLDS)
2012 Masters of Science in Nursing degree, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.
2012 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (ACNP-BC)
2012 Squadron Officer School (SOS), Non-Residence
2017 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science (ACSC), Air University, Non-Residence
2023 Air War College (AWC), Air University, Non-Residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1999 – 2004, 157 Air Operations Group, Workgroup administrator, classified courier, TS-SCI, St. Louis, MO
2004 – 2017, 932nd Medical Squadron, CCATT Nurse/Flt Leader, ACLS/TNCC instructor, Scott AFB, IL.
2017 – 2020, 932nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Chief Nurse, IP, Pt safety, Immunization OIC, Scott AFB, IL.
2020 – 2025, IMA to Deputy Command Nurse, HQ AFRC, Warner Robins, GA.
2025 – present, Commander, 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, JBLM, WA.
CCATT MISSIONS
30 CCATT Missions
Over 80 Patients
141 flight hours including 107.9 combat hours all with patient care.
DEPLOYMENTS
2002 Operation Noble Eagle – Battle Commanders Assistant (BCA), Tyndall AFB, Florida
May 2007 – September 2007: CCATT Nurse, Balad AB, Iraq and Bagram AB, Afghanistan
February 2010 – December 2010: CCATT Nurse, Ramstein AB, Germany & LRMC.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award (1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air and Space Longevity Service award (4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2 hourglass devices)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air and Space Training Ribbon (1 oak leaf cluster)
Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year (2008)
St. Louis Magazine, Excellence in Nursing Award Winner, Intensive Care (2021 Civilian Award)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
AMN 11 JUN 1998
A1C 25 DEC 1998
SRA 29 SEP 1999
SSG 24 JUN 2002
2LT 29 JUN 2004
1LT 12 JAN 2006
CPT 12 JAN 2008
MAJ 13 MAR 2013
LTC 31 AUG 2018
COL 1 July 2025