Surgeon-in-Chief of the Swedish Air Force

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The Surgeon-in-Chief of the Swedish Air Force (flygöverläkaren) was the top medical officer in the Air Force from 1943 to 1969. He led flight surgeons and aviation medicine and reported to the Chief of the Air Force through the Air Staff.

The post was created by the Defence Act of 1942. In 1945, the Surgeon-in-Chief helped inspect Air Force activities and acted as the service branch inspector for its health-care system, directly under the Chief. He was responsible for the professional medical training of the surgeons. There was no separate medical corps in the Air Force.

Active flight surgeons included both appointed and remunerated personnel, and there were also flight surgeons in the reserve. The Surgeon-in-Chief was assisted by an assistant (1st flight surgeon), the head of the Air Force's medical examination center (also a 1st flight surgeon), and two specialist flight surgeons for special aviation medical matters. To become Surgeon-in-Chief, one first had to reach the rank of 1st flight surgeon.

The Surgeons-in-Chief acted as branch inspectors, responsible for hygienic conditions, general health care and professional activities. Although they did not head an administrative corps—because the Air Force did not form a separate medical corps—they were largely responsible for the duties of the air force surgeons.

In 1969, seven officials worked under the Surgeon-in-Chief, and the position was abolished that year.

Medical training for the role consisted of a Licentiate of Medical Science with eight months of hospital training, with little additional medical education. Military training came from conscription. Active-duty surgeons also completed a six- to eight-week aviation medical course.

Aviation medicine training included a flight-surgeon course about every two to three years, lasting four weeks. The course covered aviation medicine, staff and maintenance services, base-support problems, and issues related to warfare with ABC weapons. There were also refresher courses for wing surgeons and flight courses for flight surgeons. Wing-surgeon refresher courses were typically annual for 2–3 days.

The flight course for flight surgeons lasted two years: four weeks at the Swedish Air Force Flying School in Ljungbyhed and four weeks on a wing. The course was voluntary and often included flying in double command on suitable aircraft. A basic course was offered yearly or every other year for about a week and focused on maintenance and medical tactics and technical problems at a base.