HISTORY OF CHICK
FIGHTER PILOTS
Womens Air
Service Pilots (WASP) 
Women began flying
in 1942 as a means to free up the male pilots for combat
duties. Of the 25,000 who applied to be a WASP, only 1,800
were selected to attend pilot training and only 1,074 made
it through to earn their wings. These women were assigned
to 120 bases throughout the US and they flew every type
of aircraft in the inventory. The WASP delivered aircraft
across the ocean to Britain and even flew the banner tow
missions so the male trainees could practice shooting a
moving target.
This program
was initially resisted because women were not considered
to be suitable for the rigors of flight. The frustrated
male instructors weren't very enthusiastic about their new
students either. Jackie Cochran and Nancy Love worked tirelessly
to ensure the program succeeded.
The WASP worked
very hard to prove their abilities and were subjected to
different rules then their male counterparts. They found
a valuable way to contribute to national defense and because
of them, they have helped to pave the way for women like
us.
Women USAF
Pilots
The first women
graduated from the US Air Force pilot training in 1977 and
they were limited to non-combat missions. The airplanes
available to them were KC-135s, C-141s (not on low-level
missions), E-3 AWACs, C-9s, and training aircraft. Since
women were ineligible for most flying missions, the percentage
of women allowed in training was also limited.
Female COMBAT
Pilots
The combat exclusion
was lifted in April 1993 and women were finally allowed
to compete for pilot training and aircraft assignment on
the same footing as men. The initial cadre consisted of
a group of women who had already earned their wings. They
were given the option to transition to fighters based on
three things 1) they had graduated high enough in their
class where a fighter would have been available to them
2) they were not currently already flying in a major weapons
system 3) their current squadron commander recommended them.
Today and
Tomorrow
In 2003, there
were 462 female pilots of 12,693 which made up 3.7%. Of
those 462, only 47 were fighter pilots and 15 flew bombers.
Lt Col Martha McSally became the first female commander
of a fighter squadron at Davis Monthan AFB. Currently, there
are 49 active duty female fighter pilots and 16 WSOs in
fighters. There are 17 female fighter pilots in the Air
National Guard.
The women flying
fighters in the military are serving their country, not
an agenda. Although the numbers are growing, we will probably
never be equally represented. Change takes time and forced
acceleration won't help. Thus far, we've had successful
integration into combat because women have focused on the
mission and on performance. We are aware of our role in
continuing the great history of women's service to our nation.
ELMENDORF
AVIATRIXES Elmendorf SPA. 
