The 437th Airlift Wing conducted two all-female flights to commemorate Women's History Month at Joint Base Charleston March 15 and 17.
The first all-female C-17 GlobeMaster III flight crew conducted an aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and carried 20 women assigned to various units across Joint Base Charleston.
The second flight included two all-female crews who piloted a two-ship C-17 formation, where they flew to Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, to conduct an airdrop with 80 female 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers, and an aerial refueling with a KC-135 also from the 171st ARW.
Due to weather constraints, the airdrop portion was canceled for the safety of the paratroopers.
"The fact that it is an all-female aircrew in both jets and it's all female jumpers is a huge deal because all of these women have gone through so many hurdles in order to be in their positions, be qualified, and be the tactical air women that they are," said Capt. Alisha Stroble, 16th Airlift Squadron deputy chief of tactics and C-17 pilot.
Females make up approximately 20% of the Air Force and 15% of the Army. Of the 20% of females in the Air Force, approximately 1% are pilots.
"It's really incredible to celebrate all the women who have gone before us, and open these doors for us that we (now) can put together a mission completely crewed by females in what is typically a more male setting," said Staff Sgt. Rachel Pye, 4th Combat Camera Squadron aerial photojournalist.
In 1975, then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David C. Jones, launched a test program that would enable women to enter pilot training and staff the all-volunteer force. By Sept. 26, 1976, 10 women began pilot training and trailblazed the future of women in the Air Force.
"Being on this jump means empowerment," said Command Sgt. Maj. Tonya Sims, 407th Brigade Support Battalion command sergeant major. "It lets me know that the 82nd Airborne Division, center of the universe, sees me and hears me. They know that I can and I will get it done."
Women assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Pope Army Airfield, N.C., and 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., participated in an all-female flight in commemoration of Women's History Month, March 17, 2021. The flight included 80 female paratroopers who boarded two C-17 Globemaster IIIs with all-female crews to perform a jump. Due to weather constraints, the paratroopers were unable to complete their jump. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Pye)
Women assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Pope Army Airfield, N.C., and 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., participated in an all-female flight in commemoration of Women's History Month, March 17, 2021. The flight included 80 female paratroopers who boarded two C-17 Globemaster IIIs with all-female crews to perform a jump. Due to weather constraints, the paratroopers were unable to complete their jump. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Pye)
Women from the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., conducted a C-17 Globemaster III all-female two-ship flight which included an aerial refueling mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburg, Pa., March 17. 2021. The two-ship all-female formation was conducted to commemorate Women's History Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Pye)
Women from the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., conducted a C-17 Globemaster III all-female two-ship flight which included an aerial refueling mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburg, Pa., March 17. 2021. The two-ship all-female formation was conducted to commemorate Women's History Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Pye)
Women assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Pope Army Airfield, N.C., and 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., participated in an all-female flight in commemoration of Women's History Month, March 17, 2021. The flight included 80 female paratroopers who boarded two C-17 Globemaster IIIs with all-female crews to perform a jump. Due to weather constraints, the paratroopers were unable to complete their jump. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Pye)
