On January 22, 1945, two dozen members of the United States Navy Nurse Corps became the first ever members of the Navy to be designated as Flight Nurses. Graduating from the Naval Flight Nurse School held at Naval Air Station Alameda in California, the two dozen Nurses had proven they capable of not only delivering the critical care needed by sick and wounded Sailors, but also were up to the rigors of aeromedical evacuations in fixed-wing aircraft. During their training, they had passed tests in endurance swimming (at least one mile), speed swimming (440 yards in 10 minutes or less) and evacuation (pulling or pushing victims at least 220 yards).
In 1961, the training for Flight Nurses was moved to Brooks Air Force Base, where they trained alongside United States Air Force Flight Nurse candidates at the USAF Aerospace Medicine Division. After that location was shuttered as a consequence of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decisions, the school was moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where is became part of the 711th Human Performance Wing.
Because of the expeditionary nature of warfare that the Global War on Terrorism entails, the need for Flight Nurses to provide comprehensive care during evacuations or rescue operations is more vital than ever before. To meet the need, the Navy has expanded the variety of education funding options for men and women seeking a career in the Nurse Corps, a prerequisite before being qualified in this sub-specialty. Learn more about these at our page devoted to the
U.S. Navy Nurse Corps Sleeve Device, which is used as the inspiration for the Flight Nurse “wings.”