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Show Fighter Coiintry March 25. 2004 AGE: Mechanics keep the flightline running Senior Airman Nakita Carlisle AGE technical Training for airmen is 22 weeks long and is conducted at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. After completing technical school, airmen are career develenrolled in a opment course. Upon completion airll level. men are awarded their An additional two CDC volumes are required to attain a seven level. The flight, composed of 80 people, runs a r, operation to maintain all their equipment, according to Sergeant Anacker. The flight is divided into three separate teams. "Each team supports an (aircraft maintenance unit), who support each of the fighter squadrons," said Lieutenant Bradshaw. Other teams of the flight include the production support section and the By 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs five-volu- The 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aeronautical Ground Equipment (AGE) Flight repairs, services and maintains equipment used on the flightline. "We deliver and pick up the support equipment to and from the ramp," said 2nd Lt. Lisa Bradshaw, 388th EMS AGE Flight commander. "We perform periodic phase inspection on our equipment and perform any minor or major maintenance and repairs." Master Sgt. Ken Anacker, AGE Flight chief, said the flight repairs portable generators, gas turbines, portable air conditioners, aircraft jacks, maintenance stands, etc. The flight maintains more than 480 pieces of powered and equipment, said Lieutenant Bradshaw, which is valued at more than $14 million. five-ski- k, ed - ?-r- &, H L. - tr : about 2,000 service inspections, ,000 periodic inspections and more than 25,000 equipment dispatches," he added. The flight also had about a 96 rate average percent for 2003. 1 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assisofficer in tant charge. "And the attitude toward women has changed, too. When I first came in women were expected to fail, where now when a female comes in s she's fully expected to succeed and we expect great things out of her, and I think that's great." For those women who haven't been in quite as long, they often say they haven't dealt with prejudices because of their sex. "I joined the Air Force as an American to serve my country, not as a woman," said Tech. Sgt. Valerie Fluet, 729th Air Control Squadron maintenance support evaluator. "I'm just here to do my job." Capt. Christina Deibel, 34th Fighter Squadron pilot, said she feels like one of the guys. "And I believe they treat me as such. I've never had to face any adversity, even though I'm in a male Senior Airman Madelyn Waychoff 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Throughout history women have broken barriers to serve in the military, some legitimately and some not. Many women worked as nurses on battlefields, while others disguised themselves as men so they could join. Even though the contributions women made were recognized, Americans wouldn't allow them to be fully integrated into the military until 1948, when President Harry Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. Now, each year, more women join every branch of military service. "I've definitely seen more women coming in since I joined 23 years ago," said Senior Master Sgt. Donna Knevitt, --,:-, ' "N I Photos by Senior Airman Nakita Carlisle Left: Staff Sgt. James Allen, 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment officer, reviews technical orders. Above: Airman 1st Class Ryan Stoots, 388th EMS AGE apprentice applies a warning stencil to the cover of a self generating night cart. Right: Staff Sgt. Jasen Foreman 388th EMS AGE Journeyman, is in the process of reinstalling the exhaust in a hydraulic test stand. Women 's Historv By for about 10 deployments last year supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and different training TDYs, according to Lieutenant Bradshaw. "In 2003 the flight completed fv;Vx o . mobility and training section. "Everyone in the flight works as a team, even though they are divided into separate individual teams," said Sergeant Anacker. "They come together and work as one team when we mobilize, prepare equipment or when we have an exercise the flight unites as one." The flight deployed airmen and 250 different pieces of equipment r. Month-Wome- dominated career field." Although the military is still mostly male, women now do almost all the same jobs as men. There are more women in combat zones, as well as posftiohrdirectlylated to comBaCj WomenVbpportunities rose to new heights in 1993 as they were authorized to fly fighter jets. "When I was in Saudi Arabia in '94, we had our very first female pilot flying a fighter aircraft, and I thought it was amazing," said Sergeant Knevitt. "But that was brand new at the time. Now, to see females flying these that has definitely been a big change." And there are more female fighter pilots every year. Sixty women now fly fighter jets throughout the active duty Air Force. While they may only make up 1 .9 percent of all fighter pilots, there are more women flying every year. "I don't think there'll ever be an equal number of women to men though," said Capt. Deibel. "It's interest based. I just don't think as many girls want to be fighter pilots because of everything that goes along with it -it's hanging out with the boys, as well as the intense training and physical strain it puts on you. But I do know at least 10 female fighter pilots, so they're out there." More women are also forming on the front lines - not in combat, but in combat related positions. "I think women have a role in combat," said Sergeant Knevitt. "As fighter pilots, I think women belong in that s, n - .- II , l00k forward' thank those wh0 came before them seat. In the trenches there are both men and women who shouldn't be there, but short of physical limitations women can do everything men can do. Sergeant Knevitt also said the attitude toward women in combat has changed since she's been in; now more people believe women belong there. Captain Deibel agrees. "I feel that a if woman can do it - physically, mentally and emotionally - and she meets all the same qualifications as the man does, then yes, she's capable and should be allowed in combat. There would be instability in integrating women on the front lines. But as far as aerial and naval combat, all it takes is skill, and I don't think it matters whether you're a man or a woman." Until 1967 there were still restrictions on women in the military. They couldn't be promoted higher than the rank of colonel. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson removed the last restrictions on women in the military - they by signing Public Law 0 to all be were now free to promoted ranks. Since then, women have risen through the ranks and proved themselves up to the task of defending our country. There are now more than 70,000 active duty women in the Air Force, according to the Air Force Personnel Center. "The need for women to serve their country just as men do has always been the same," said Captain Deibel. "The only thing that's changed over the years is the role we played." 90-13- ... Women in military history How many women have served in the American military? War: Spanish-America- n 1,500 World War I: 35,985 21,480 in the Army Nurse Corps; 2,000 in the Navy Nurse Corps; 12,000 yeomen; 305 Women Marines; 200 in the Army Signal Corps World War II: 400,000 Korean War: 50,000 Vietnam: 265,000 7,500 in theater, including 36 woman Marines, 421 Navy, 771 Air Force, 6,272 Army Grenada (deployed): 170 Panama (deployed): 770 Desert Storm: 374,000 Today: 200,000 How many female casualties? World War I: 422 deaths; 2 killed in action; 2 wounded by enemy fire; 17 killed in accidents World War II: 470 Deaths; 21 killed in action; 25 wounded by enemy fire 1 1 1 killed in accidents Korea: 16 deaths; 16 killed in action Vietnam: 8 deaths, 1 killed in action; 5 killed in accidents Desert Storm: 4 killed in action Operation Iraqi Freedom: 16 deaths; IS Deaths How many female prisoners of war have there been? Civil Wan 1 World War II: 87 OperatJoa Desert Storm: 2 Operatioa Iraqi Freedom: IS Photo by Senor Airman Madetyn WayuhoW fightCapt Christina Deibel, 34th Fighter Squadron pilot, is one of the 60 female er pilots in the Air Force. Female fighter pilots make up 1.9 percent of the total fighter force, and were first anigned to fly fighters in 1993. F-- PMb courtesy olArmyrm Nuts Betty Evans check I i April t, 1942, during World War I in Iceland. Information Courtesy of www.womensmemoriaLorg x I |