Col. James M. Bershinsky is the Commander of the 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He is responsible for overseeing the health and readiness of over 1,300 Air Force Reservists while ensuring the unit is prepared to rapidly deploy, build, and sustain forward based en route patient staging including critical care worldwide. He provides wartime capabilities for the 50 or 100 bed Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility as an integral link of patient movement in the Global Aeromedical Evacuation System.
Col. Bershinsky entered the U.S. Army in 1989 as a Combat Medic. He served on active duty until 1993 before transferring to the Army National Guard. From 1994 – 1996, he attended the U.S. Army Physician Assistant School at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and accepted a commission with the Colorado Army National Guard. From 1996 - 2006, he served as a Battalion Medical Officer in multiple combat arms units and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2014, after a seven-year break in service, Col. Bershinsky joined the Air Force Reserve and began his Air Force career as a Physician Assistant and Flight Commander for the 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He later served as the Commander, 932nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 932nd Air Wing, Scott Air Force Base, IL. Prior to his current position, Lt. Col. Bershinsky served as the Deputy Commander, 624th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
1996 U.S. Army Physician Assistant School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
1997 U.S. Army Officer Basic Course, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
2000 U.S. Army Flight Surgeon Course, Fort Rucker, Ala.
2008 Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Lincoln, Neb.
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1989 - January 1993, Combat Medic, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
2. January 1993 - July 1994, Combat Medic, Illinois Army National Guard
3. July 1994 - September 1996, U.S. Army Physician Assistant School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
4. September 1996 - October 2004, Battalion Medical Officer, Colorado Army National Guard October 5. October 2004 - December 2005, Medical Officer, 44th Medical Brigade, Iraq
6. February 2015 - May 2018, Physician Assistant and Flight Commander, 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
7. May 2018 – November 2019, Commander, 932nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 932nd Air Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
8. November 2019 – October 2021, Deputy Commander, 624th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
9. October 2021 - Present, Commander, 302d Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Peterson SFB, Colo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
(Current as of December 2021)