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Women Pilots in World War II An overview of the WAFS, WFTD and WASP programs during World War II.
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The Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS/WASP) In September 1942, the Army Air Force (AAF) created the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and appointed Nancy H. Love its commander. Love recruited highly skilled and experienced female pilots who were sent on noncombat missions ferrying planes between factories and AAF installations. While WAFS was being organized, the Army Air Force appointed Jacqueline Cochran as Director of Women's Flying Training. Cochran's school, which eventually moved to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX, trained 232 women before it ceased operations. Eventually, over 1000 women completed flight training. As the ranks of women pilots serving the AAF swelled, the value of their contribution began to be recognized, and the Air Force took steps to militarize them. As a first step the Air Force renamed their unit from WAFS to Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
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Women in the Army Air Force
Women served with distinction in the AAF, replacing men who could then be reassigned to combat and other vital duties. The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was created in May 1942. Top priority for assignment of WAACs was to serve at Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) stations. In the spring of 1943, WAACs became the Women's Army Corps (WAC); almost one-half of their peak strength served with the AAF, with many being assigned to clerical and administrative duties, while others worked as topographers, medical specialists, chemists, and even aircraft mechanics. Some commanders were relucant to accept women into their units, but by mid-1943 the demand for them far exceeded the numbers available. |
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give 'bad guys' information John Wayne used to say, "Talk low. Talk slow. Don't say too much." That's good advice in today's military environment as we conduct operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. It's smart to limit what we say and who we say it to. It's good OPSEC, or operations security. As our commander-in-chief, President George W. Bush, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld have stated quite clearly, this war on terrorism will be like no other. It is not only a war that includes combat, but also a conflict that includes information. Full Story Top |
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out of the threshold shows devotion to country Again and again, time after time, I've stood by and watched the four o'clock dodgers. Yes, the ones who deliberately run or stand in doorways of buildings to avoid standing at attention and saluting during the playing of the German and American national anthems. Former President Calvin Coolidge said, "Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country." By definition, patriotism is the love for, or devotion to, one's country. Devotion, in this case, is defined as the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal. The men and women of the armed forces should know this oh so well since we swore to uphold and protect the rights and liberties of our great nation. Full Story Top |
