Oct. 15, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Global Reach Gallery All-Female Transatlantic FlightSince the 1980’s, women have made a number of all-female crew missions – to publicize and demonstrate women’s increasing presence in the military and in career fields previously only occupied by men.Initially, these historic flights were limited to cargo aircraft. When
Oct. 15, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Research & Development Gallery Women on the EdgeWomen are responsible for countless discoveries and inventions since the start of civilization, but they often receive little recognition for their work in the sciences. Women have developed gadgets and tools from everyday items to specialized military equipment. Female Air Force
Oct. 15, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Space Gallery USAF Women in SpaceNearly 17 years after the first American was launched into space, NASA accepted its first female astronaut trainees. In January 1978, NASA selected the first six women to train for the Space Shuttle mission. This class also introduced the position of the mission specialist.
Oct. 15, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Missile Gallery Female MissileersIn June 1978, women joined the previously male-only missile launch control center as combat crew commanders and missile technicians. Women’s presence in the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) career field initially raised objections amongst missileer spouses due to the
Oct. 15, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Cold War Gallery Building the FutureThe Transition from Traditional Roles to Non-Traditional JobsDuring the 1970s, the US Air Force opened all but combat and combat support fields to women. Jobs in civil engineering and other demanding fields saw a steady increase of women. The transition from “traditional”
Oct. 15, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Southeast Asia War Gallery Air Force Women in the Southeast Asia WarHundreds of Air Force women served at bases in South Vietnam and Thailand, mostly performing “traditional” duties such as nursing and administrative work. Air Force flight nurses, many of them women, provided in-flight care to wounded personnel being
Oct. 14, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Korean War Gallery An Important Moment for Military Women Women’s Armed Services Integration ActPrior to the Korean War, women served in the US armed forces for brief periods, but returned to domestic life in peacetime. Based on their vital contributions during World War II, the Army requested full permanent military
Oct. 14, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in World War II Gallery Following the Story of Jacqueline CochranFlying with a MissionPrior to the development of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program in the United States, Jacqueline Cochran recruited American female pilots to join the Royal Air Forces Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II. Women’s
Oct. 14, 2020 Women in the Air Force – displays in Early Years Gallery British Female Pilots Lead the WayIn October 1941, Mary Wilkins-Ellis joined the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), a British civilian organization established during World War II to transport aircraft from factories to active service squadrons. The ATA employed pilots considered unsuitable for military
Aug. 17, 2020 Flying the President Providing fast, safe, and reliable air transportation for the President of the United States is an important US Air Force mission. The President’s ability to travel all over the world at short notice is critical to projecting America’s diplomatic, military, and economic power.“Perfection is Our