LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --
Reserve Citizen Airman Maj Rachel Whisenand, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, was awarded the winner of the 944th Fighter Wing Field Grade Officer of the Year for 2021. Whisenand served as a critical care air transport nurse and covered 2.1 alert hours, executed two combat missions, six short-range transports, and evacuated five patients to advanced level care over 23.5 flight hours. She served as a pivotal critical care air transport team registered nurse, leader, and mentor who helped guide and delegate team training ensuring mission readiness at 100%. Whisenand is an adept registered nurse educator who developed a special neuro injury class with External Ventricular Drain simulation skill training for critical medical Comprehensive Medical Readiness Program for over 12 members. She volunteered as medical support during deployment motivation races, providing over watch for 1.5K participants across 3 events. Whisenand continued to epitomize “service before self” by volunteering to serve as standby launch and recovery element registered nurse for a high profile evacuation mission.