MAJOR GENERAL JAMES E. WHINNERY
Retired effective Nov 30, 2000
Major General James E. Whinnery is the Air National Guard assistant to the surgeon general, United States Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. He serves as the principal adviser on Air National Guard medical service matters to the surgeon general. His responsibilities also include coordinating medical policies, plans and programs for the Air National Guard.
The general entered the Air Force in August 1972 after receiving his Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Texas Christian University. He received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, in May 1975. His active, Guard and civilian assignments have been focused on research and development in fighter aviation medicine. He is a chief flight surgeon with 1,000 hours, principally in fighter aircraft, and he has participated in centrifuge high +Gz- research experiments for over 20 years.
EDUCATION:
1968 Bachelor of Science in chemistry, West Texas State University, Texas
1972 Doctor of philosophy in biophysical chemistry, Texas Christian University, Texas
1972 Master of Arts in teaching (chemistry), Texas Christian University, Texas
1975 Doctor of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
1977 Residency (PG-1) Internal Medicine, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Texas
1987 Airpower Research Institute/Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. August 1972 - May 1975, direct commission medical student, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
2. May 1975 - June 1976, research medical officer, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas
3. June 1976 - July 1977, PG-1 resident internal medicine, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
4. July 1977 - September 1981, research medical officer/flight surgeon, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas
5. September 1981 - September 1983, squadron flight surgeon, 111th Tactical Air Support Group, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Willow Grove Naval Air Station, Pa.
6. September 1983 - September 1985, chief aeromedical services, 149th Tactical Fighter Group, Texas Air National Guard, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
7. September 1985 - September 1987, commander 149th Tactical Clinic, Texas Air National Guard, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas; also, June 1986 - May 1987, Air War College/Airpower Research Institute, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
8. September 1987 - May 1989, advisor to the air surgeon, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C.
9. May 1989 - January 1990, Air National Guard assistant to the command surgeon, United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
10. January 1990 - May 1990, 17th Air Force surgeon, USAFE, Sembach Air Base, Germany (Operations Desert Shield/Storm)
11. May 1990 - September 1991, Air National Guard assistant to the command surgeon, United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
12. September 1991 - October 1993, the air surgeon, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Md
13. October 1993 - October 1997, Air National Guard assistant to the command surgeon, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
14. October 1997 - November 2000, Air National Guard assistant to the surgeon general, USAF, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Chief flight surgeon
Flight Hours: 1,000
Aircraft Assigned to: F-100, F-101, OA-37, F-4, F-16
Flight Surgeon wings from: USAF School of Aerospace Medicine
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION:
Biomedical Research Scientist
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1979 Arnold D. Tuttle Award for scientific research (Aerospace Medical Association)
1980 Flight Surgeon of the Year Air Force Systems Command
1985 Flight Surgeon of the Year Air National Guard
1985 Arnold D. Tuttle Award for scientific research (Aerospace Medical Association)
1995 Honorary doctor of the State Scientific Research Test Institute, Russian Federation
1996 Theodore C. Lyster Award for lifetime contributions to aerospace medicine (Aerospace Medical Association)
Fellow American College of Cardiology, American Institute of Chemists, Aerospace Medical Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant Jun 21, 1972
First Lieutenant Aug 26, 1974
Captain May 31, 1975
Major Aug 16, 1979
Lieutenant Colonel May 26, 1981
Colonel Jun 23, 1986
Brigadier General Sep 23, 1994
Major General Oct 30, 1997
(Current as of February 2001)