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Show June 25, 1992 Hilltop Times 9 Surveys show mixed feelings on women's role more than of Air Force people 95 percent of the women aviators and 60 percent of think that the presence of the fighter aviators will have either a positive impact or no women change to impact on morale and cohesion. "I've met a few women who could blend in with the aggressive nature of a fighter squadron and not adversely impact group cohesion or morale, which is essential for a combat fighting unit," a deployed 6 pilot said. As far as readiness goes, men and women reported not being available for similar reasons and at simiThree-quarter- s by TSgt. Sarah L. Hood Air Force News Service - WASHINGTON Results of two Air Force surveys peg fighter aviators as the group least likely to accept women flying combat aircraft, while women aviators are the most supportive of the idea. "The bottom line is equal risk for equal pay, equal opportunity for equal ability," a surveyed female pilot said. But while an F--4 pilot who deployed in the Persian Gulf conflict believes women could do their job in combat, he said, "It's their effect on everyone else that should exclude them from combat duty in KC-13- 5 all-ma- le units." The surveys were prompted by the passage of the Department of Defense 1992 Authorization Act which repealed the exclusion for women flying com- bat aircraft. Following the repeal, a presidential commission was created to study the feasibility of putting women on the front lines of warfare. One survey was directed at commanders while the other was distributed to a broad audience of males and females, officers and enlisted members. The specific subject area explored was assigning women to combat positions and the effect it may have on unit morale and cohesion. Regarding combat performance, a female operations management staff officer expressed a positive view. Everyone must fight "With our smaller, more global force, the luxury airmen is gone. Everyof having any one must be prepared to arm and fight responsibly," the officer said. On the other hand, a male staff sergeant working in airlift aircraft maintenance was not convinced. "They were hurting our operations for sure," the NCO said. "We had to redo their work almost all of the time. Luckily, we were able to correct the problems quickly." And a security policeman advocates individuality non-combata- nt German jK i airmen is gone. Everyone must be prepared to arm and fight responsibly. non-combata- nt F-1- lar rates. or 65 percent of all people surAbout veyed 95 percent of the female aviators and 28 think air combat percent of the fighter aviators will be unaffected or enhanced by the presence of 99 two-thir- ds A female operations management staff officer women. over gender as the "detennining factor when it comes down to 'who stays' and 'who goes.'" Survey results show an obvious difference in opinions between male fighter aviators and female aviators concerning women in combat units. "Specifically, Congress tasked the commission to determine the effect (of women in combat) on unit morale and cohesion, and also to look at time lost, including pregnancy, in like skills among men and women," said Lt. Col. Mike Lynch, team leader, officer assession plans and policy. The Air Force developed its own plan to take a look at the commission tasks, address those internally and look at "what studies and research we needed do to prepare an Air Force view point," Lynch said. Survey results show that if the Air Force went to war tomorrow, most servicemembers would willingly support women in both air and ground combat. Nine out of 10 aircrew members who flew in combat support missions with women would do so again. But, only four in 10 fighter crewmen would willingly do so. Overall, the results indicate that the majority of Air Force people feel women should be in combat roles. Almost half of those surveyed feel ground combat performance will be unaffected or enhanced. Capture Air Force opinion "We are confident we have captured the opinion of Air Force members. I think it's a good survey. The analysts tell me we have a very high confidence in the results," Lynch said. As the Air Force survey agency, the Air Force Military Personnel Center began developing the survey in January. Personnel officials developed two parallel surveys, one for the servicemembers and one for commanders who would be implementing any policy changes. The surveys were sent to Air Force people, with an oversampling of certain groups of interest, for example, female aviators and currently combat excluded career fields. The response rate for the surveys assured the results were representative of the opinions across the Air Force. The analysis was cut by the various groups of interest. 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