Page 18 - Aerospace Valley Heritage - Aerotech News and Review, October 15, 2021

RURAL, from 17
southwest of the intersection at Sierra Jacqueline Cochran, a poor girl from
Highway and West Avenue B. Polaris Georgia, began flying lessons in 1932
Flight Academy operated out of War at age 26. By 1941, she was a flight
Eagle Field to provide flight training captain in the British Air Transport
for military cadets, It opened in 1941, Auxiliary. She trained other women to
initially to train British and Canadian fly. In 1942, she returned to the United
cadets. In 1942, after the United States States and served as the first director
entered World War II, training of U.S. of the Women Auxiliary Service Pilots,
Army Air Force cadets also took place. the WASPs.
The War Eagle Flight Academy, at that Cochran placed an ad seeking
time, was the only civilian school in women pilots to join the war effort.
the nation to provide basic training Three women from the Antelope
for Army pilots. Vultee BT-13 was Valley, members of the Ninety-Nines,
the main aircraft used for the training responded.
sessions. The facility closed in 1945 Flora Belle Reece, nee Smith,
with the end of the war, and Liberty was 21 when she joined the cause
Field sits abandoned. on Nov. 1, 1943. She served as a
Women played a significant role utility pilot until December 1944
in the war effort after the bombing of when the WASPs were disbanded.
Pearl Harbor. Many women who took Reece, who died in December 2014,
care of their families on the home front recalled her childhood desire to fly
while their husbands were deployed during an interview. “I would sit and
overseas, also filled in at factories or watch the birds fly and that’s how I
other jobs temporarily vacated by the became interested in flying.” She also
men. remembered her service during the
Yet another breed of women war. “I remember the first time I flew
existed — the ones who learned to the AT-6 solo. It was nobody but me
fly and they worked in concert with and God’s good world.”
the military, flying aircraft wherever Marguerite “Ty” Killen was a
needed and handling jobs which petite lady with a lot of spunk. Killen,
could not be neglected. These women like Reece, was born in 1924. Her
had membership in an organization first husband, Lt. Fred Hughes, was
called the Ninety-Nines, Inc., which the pilot of a B-24 who died when
functioned under the auspice of the his aircraft was shot down over
International Organization of Women the Himalayas. Killen, who died in Photograph by Evelyn Kristo
Pilots. The organization formed in January 2011, had commented that
1929 to promote the advancement during the war Japanese fighters shot Visitors to the Antelope Valley Rural Museum can take in the rich history of the valley’s aerospace legacy in exhibits like
this one featuring Muroc Field, now Edwards Air Force Base. The museum is located at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
of aviation through education, in Lancaster, Calif.
scholarships and mutual support. See RURAL, Page 19

• Boarding • grooming A CFC participant. Provided as a public service.

jdrf.org

Smith Kennels 661-256-3985
2700 Diamond St.
Rosamond, Ca
760-762-5022
Joyce & roger nagel 2020 West ave. m-4 27167 20 Mule Team Rd. 249 East Avenue K8, Suite 103
(661) 947-3537 Palmdale, ca 93551 Boron, Ca Lancaster, CA 93535
661-824-3422
2300 State Hwy 58 661-945-0077
Mojave, Ca Lic. #697045
karls.doitbest.com www.WesternEquipmentService.com

Ask About our MilitAry Discounts
SinCe 1953
We love our Military and Aerospace
(661) 948-6006 • avflorist.com
1302 West Avenue J • Lancaster CA
(c/s Lowtree Ave)
Veterans Day & Military
Family Appreciation Month
At your service at home or across the country,
Support our Veterans and Military Families We have your Storage Solution!
Let me help you with this special marketing opportunity Electronic Gate Access Online Bill Pay & Auto Pay
with your next move! Advertise your business with a greeting or special Individual Door Alarms Safe, Secure & Convenient
o er to veterans in the November 5, 2021 edition. Surveillance Cameras Uhaul Rentals & Moving Supplies

Specializing in the Santa Clarita Valley Advertising reservation deadline is October 25, 2021
and Antelope Valley. CALL uS todAy!
877-247-9288
KATHY OWEN 661-733-2295
REALTOR® | DRE# 01019354 kathy.owen919@gmail.com 42738 4th Street East • Lancaster, CA
Realty Executives Homes 661-952-7864 • www.storagesolution.com
Committed to Service, Excellence & Results!

Aerotech News and Review
18 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview October 22, 2021