Hazel Downing in a C-17 military aircraft.
When HPU Associate Professor of Nursing Hazel Downing, RN, Ed.D, boarded a C-17 military aircraft and climbed into the cockpit, it wasn’t part of her typical school week. Downing traded her usual classroom setting for mission briefings and hands-on learning at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, all part of a unique opportunity offered by the U.S. Air Force.
Downing was selected to participate in the Air Force Recruiting Service’s Officer Accessions Influencer Tour Program, held February 24–27, 2025. On behalf of Brigadier General Christopher Amrhein, Commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, she joined a group of educators from across the country to gain a firsthand look at how the Air Force recruits, trains, educates, and employs its Airmen and Guardians.
Educators from a variety of disciplines were brought together for this special tour, which included mission briefings, facility tours, and direct conversations with Air Force officers, enlisted members, and specialized professionals. For Downing, a critical care nurse educator, the experience offered a valuable opportunity to see the intersection of healthcare and military service up close.
“I had the chance to interact one-on-one with Air Force health and engineering professionals and was deeply impressed by the level of expertise and innovation,” said Downing. “Wright-Patterson is home to a world-class research laboratory and is one of the leading acquisition and development centers in the Air Force.”
One highlight of the trip was touring a C-17 aircraft used in Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) missions to transport critically wounded service members overseas. “It was incredible to step into the cockpit and imagine what it’s like to operate such a powerful aircraft while saving lives in flight,” said Downing.
Downing also gained valuable insight into the Air Force’s officer application process, including scholarship opportunities and student loan deferment programs. The visit also included a guided tour of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, enriching the group’s understanding of the service’s history and evolution.
“This experience broadened my perspective as an educator and deepened my appreciation for the dedication and innovation within the Air Force,” said Downing. “It’s a privilege to pass that knowledge on to my nursing students at HPU.”
