Flight Nursing Culture By Breanna Skidmore

U.S. Military Little interest until WWII Training programs started during the war 3/05/angels-of-the-airfields- navy-air-evacuation-nurses- ww2/

Allied Invasion of North Africa Women of Bowman Field had not finished their training Women of Bowman Field had not finished their training The first class of U.S. Army Nurses’ Corps flight nurses graduated on February 18, 1943 The first class of U.S. Army Nurses’ Corps flight nurses graduated on February 18, 1943

Volunteers Aircraft did not display the Red Cross Aircraft did not display the Red Cross Vulnerable for attacks Vulnerable for attacks

Plane Basics They carried an evacuation kit There were no regular schedules dept.com/articles/ww2-air- evacuation/

Revolution About 500 Army nurses served as members of 31 squadrons About 500 Army nurses served as members of 31 squadrons Total percentage of medical patients airlifted during the war only represent 4.5% Total percentage of medical patients airlifted during the war only represent 4.5% 17 flight nurses lost their lives 17 flight nurses lost their lives

The Navy An eight week program An eight week program On December 10,1944 the first class graduated from the program On December 10,1944 the first class graduated from the program

Conclusion There was a special bond developed between these patients and nurses. The flight nurses were rescuing and bringing these physically and psychologically wounded warfighters to safety. These nurses were often referred to as “winged angels” or “angels of the airfields”. After the war ended medical facilities began using helicopters to evacuate critically ill or injured citizens. The military continued to use flight nurses, and the practice also expanded to other things such as private companies and therefore opening up a new host of job opportunities.

References WW2 US Medical Research Centre (n.d.). WW2 air evacuation. Retrieved from evacuation/ DodLive (2013). Women’s history month: flight nurses revolutionize military medical care. Retrieved from monthflight-nurses-revolutionize-military-medical-care/ Sobocinski, A. (2013). Angels of the airfields: navy air evacuation nurses of world war II. Retrieved from evacuation-nurses-ww2/