| Royal Air Force Nursing Service | |
|---|---|
 RAF General Hospital in Brussels during the Second World War | |
| Active | 1 June 1918–present (originally as Royal Air Force Temporary Nursing Service) |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | HM The King |
| Branch |  Royal Air ForceRAF Medical Services |
| Type | Nursing |
| Role | Medicine |
| Size | 498 nurses |
| Garrison/HQ | Air Command, RAF High Wycombe |
| Engagements | World War II, Korean War, Falklands War, Gulf War (Op GRANBY), Bosnian War, Kosovo War, War in Afghanistan, Gulf War II (Op TELIC) |
| Commanders | |
| Matron-In-Chief | Group Captain Charlie Thompson |
| Patron | Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy |
| Insignia | |
| RAF Ensign |  |
| Red Cross Emblem |  |
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| Royal Air Force of theBritish Armed Forces |
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| History and future |
| Aircraft |
| Personnel |
| Organisation |
| Auxiliary services |
Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS) is thenursing branch of theBritishRoyal Air Force.
It was established as theRoyal Air Force Temporary Nursing Service (RAFNS) in 1918, and became part of the permanent establishment as theRoyal Air Force Nursing Service on 27 January 1921. It received theRoyal prefix afterPrincess Mary agreed to become itsPatron in June 1923.
It was a women-only branch until 1980, when men were also permitted to join. Until theSecond World War, it was only open to unmarried women, or childless widows. There was also aPrincess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (Reserve) (PMRAFNS(R)) to supplement the regular service during times of war or emergencies.
A history of the service was commissioned from the writerMary Mackie and appeared in 2001.[1] An updated and extended edition covering subsequent decades (including service inAfghanistan) was published in September 2014.[2]
The initial ranking system used by the PMRAFNS was as follows.
| PMRAFNS rank | Equivalent RAF rank (from 1943) |
| Staff Nurse[3] | |
| Sister | Flying Officer |
| Senior Sister[4] | Flight Lieutenant |
| Matron | Squadron Leader |
| Principal Matron[5] | Wing Commander |
| Chief Principal Matron[6] | Group Captain |
| Matron-in-Chief | Air Commodore |
From 1 June 1943, PMRAFNS personnel were granted emergencyCommissions, and worerankinsignia corresponding to their equivalent Royal Air Forceofficer rank. On 1 February 1949, the women's forces were integrated into the Armed Forces, and a new ranking system was introduced, although professional titles were still used on the wards.
| PMRAFNS rank | Equivalent RAF rank |
| Flying Officer | Flying Officer |
| Flight Officer | Flight Lieutenant |
| Squadron Officer | Squadron Leader |
| Wing Officer | Wing Commander |
| Group Officer | Group Captain |
| Air Commandant | Air Commodore |
| Air Chief Commandant[7] | Air Vice-Marshal |
Other Ranks were introduced in 1956, although unqualifiedNursing Orderlies had previously served in theWomen's Auxiliary Air Force andWomen's Royal Air Force. They held standard RAF ranks. Officers used the separate ranking system until 1980, when they too adopted RAF ranks.
The RAF had several hospitals which were staffed by nurses from the PMRAFNS. These were located atAkrotiri,Albrighton, Wolverhampton,Ely,HaltonNocton Hall, Lincolnshire,Aden,Uxbridge,Wegberg andWroughton.[8]
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