From Combat Skies to Classroom Leadership: The Extraordinary Career of Col. Regina C. Aune

Retired Air Force Col. Regina C. Aune shaped military medicine from the battlefield skies to the Uniformed Services University classrooms.

U.S. Air Force Col. Regina C. Aune poses for an official portrait. Aune built a career defined by courage and leadership, serving as a flight nurse during the Vietnam War and surviving a C-5 Galaxy crash during Operation Babylift in 1975. She later transitioned to academic leadership, serving as the Commandant of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. (Courtesy photo)

May 7, 2026 by Sharon Holland

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Regina C. Aune built a career defined by courage, leadership, and lasting contributions to military medicine. A former chair of the Department of Nursing Research and Commandant of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, and Deputy Brigade Commander at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Aune’s legacy spans both the battlefield and the classroom.

Her journey began in Cleveland, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint John College in 1969. Just a few years later, she was serving as an Air Force flight nurse—stepping into one of the most demanding and dangerous roles in military healthcare.

In 1975, then-Capt. Aune was assigned to the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Trained to provide care aboard C-141 and C-9 aircraft, she was part of a unit on constant alert as the Vietnam War neared its end and conditions in Saigon deteriorated.

When the order came to evacuate vulnerable populations, Aune and her team were tasked with a high-risk mission as part of Operation Babylift—a large-scale effort to transport thousands of orphans out of Vietnam. Their aircraft, a massive C-5 Galaxy—nicknamed “the flying whale”—was unfamiliar territory for the medical crew, adding another layer of complexity to an already dangerous mission.

Shortly after takeoff from Saigon, disaster struck. An explosion caused rapid decompression, ripping away the rear cargo door and severely damaging the aircraft. The cabin filled with debris, fog, and plunging temperatures as chaos unfolded midair.

Amid the crisis, Aune acted without hesitation. She moved to secure oxygen for patients and assist crew members struggling to survive the decompression. While the pilots fought to control the aircraft, she continued caring for passengers in a rapidly deteriorating environment.

The aircraft attempted an emergency return but ultimately crashed into a rice paddy short of the runway. The cargo section was devastated, and many lives were lost. Aune herself was thrown violently within the aircraft, suffering multiple injuries, including a fractured leg and back.

Despite those injuries, she continued to lead. As helicopters arrived but could not land in the unstable terrain, Aune helped evacuate survivors—carrying and guiding children through mud and rotor wash to safety. Only after ensuring others were cared for did she acknowledge the severity of her own condition, formally requesting relief from her duties before collapsing.

She later learned that 175 people survived the crash, many due to the heroic actions taken by the crew during those critical moments. For her extraordinary heroism, Aune became the first woman to receive the prestigious Cheney Award in 1976, remaining one of only a few female recipients in its history. 

Aune’s service did not end there. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing in 1979 and a PhD in 1983, continuing to build a career that blended operational excellence with academic leadership. Her leadership extended across multiple major commands, including the 437th Medical Group at Charleston Air Force Base, the 377th Medical Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, the 59th Medical Group at Lackland Air Force Base, and the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. At USU, she helped shape the next generation of military nurses, strengthening research and education within the Graduate School of Nursing.

In recognition of her impact on aeromedical evacuation and military medicine, Aune was inducted into the Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame in 2007. After retiring from military service following 28 years, she continued her commitment to education as Dean of Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio.

Col. Aune’s remarkable career reflects a rare combination of bravery under fire and sustained leadership over decades of service. Her story remains a powerful reminder of the vital role military nurses play in saving lives during moments of crisis and in shaping the future of healthcare for generations to come. Whether in the skies over Vietnam or the halls of academia, she exemplified the highest ideals of military nursing: skill, selflessness, and an unwavering dedication to others.