Page 12 - Women's History Month 2022 - Combined Special Edition of Luke AFB Thunderbolt - Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News

12 February 25, 2022 Aerotech News Aerotech News February 25, 2022 13
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Making history across the services…

USS Abraham Lincoln deploys with its first female CO at the helm

By Helicopter Anti-submarine Squad- Ashore, her tours include instruc-
JeNNA BiGhAM ron Light (HSL) 45 twice deployed tor pilot and quality assurance
with USS John Young (DD 973) officer at the “Seahawks” of HSL-
Aerotech News
in support of maritime interdic- 41; executive assistant and action
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN tion operations in the Northern officer to the Director, Joint Staff/
72), deployed in January from San Arabian Gulf; aide-de-camp to J6; and senior military advisor to
Diego, California, with the first Commander, Carrier Strike Group the Secretary of State’s Office of
woman to lead a nuclear carrier in 7 deployed with USS John C. Sten- Global Women’s Issues, enhanc-
U.S. Navy history at the helm: Capt. nis (CVN 74) supporting Northern ing women’s peace and security
Amy Bauerschmidt, USS Abraham Edge and Rim of the Pacific exer- through worldwide initiatives.
Lincoln commanding officer. cises; the “Warlords” of HSL-51 Bauernschmidt’s experience led
“It is incredible to be in 7th Fleet twice deployed aboard USS Kitty to new milestones and will propel
conducting operations,” said Bau- Hawk (CV 63); executive and com- the carrier as it enables the work
ernschmidt in a Navy news release. manding officer of the “Spartans” of the strike group — launch-
“The Sailors worked extremely hard of Helicopter Maritime Strike ing planes, moving through the
to be ready for this deployment, and Squadron (HSM) 70 deployed water, feeding Sailors, providing
now they are able to show the world aboard USS George H.W. Bush parts, moving steam, supplies and
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeremiah Bartelt how much their hard work paid off.” (CVN 77) in support of Operation ordnance, and a plethora of other
Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, then-incoming commanding officer Prior to the deployment, Bauern- Enduring Freedom; executive of- tasks which provide their own set
of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), reads her schmidt accumulated over 3,000 ficer USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN of logistical and communication
orders during a change of command ceremony held on the flight flight hours in naval aircraft. Her 72); and commanding officer, USS challenges for a commanding officer
deck Aug. 19, 2021, San Diego, Calif. sea tours include the “Wolfpack” of San Diego (LPD 22). to overcome.

Cmdr. Farrell becomes first woman to take command of USS Constitution

By Petty Officer 2nd Class what this country and government would be. toric barrier is long overdue to be broken. I USS Constitution is the world’s oldest
GrANt GrADy She is also a somber reminder of those service cannot think of a better candidate to serve commissioned warship afloat and played a
members that gave the ultimate sacrifice on as USS Constitution’s first female command- crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War
USS Constitution Public Affairs
her decks to create the nation we know today.” ing officer. I look forward to watching what of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from
Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell became Old Iron- Farrell previously served as the executive she and the crew accomplish in the next few 1797 to 1855.
sides’ 77th commanding officer and the first officer aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided years.” The active-duty Sailors stationed aboard
woman to serve as the ship’s commanding missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69). The first female commissioned officer to USS Constitution provide free tours and offer
officer in the ship’s 224 years of history, dat- She is a native of Paducah, Ky. and a serve aboard USS Constitution was Lt. Cmdr. public visitation, as they support the ship’s
ing back to 1797. graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Claire V. Bloom, who served as executive of- mission of promoting the Navy’s history and
“There is a picture floating around of me University of Arkansas. ficer and led the historic 1997 sail, the first maritime heritage and raising awareness of
standing next to this remarkable ship back As USS Constitution’s crew welcomed Far- time Old Ironsides sailed under her own the importance of a sustained naval presence.
in 1998,” said Farrell. “I could never have rell’s historic achievement, they said farewell power since 1881. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle
imagined that 24 years later that I’d be here to the ship’s 76th commanding officer, and The first female crew member was Rose- and destroyed or captured 33 opponents.
today taking command of Old Ironsides. USS local Dedham, Massachusetts, native Cmdr. marie Lanam, an enlisted Sailor, who joined The ship earned the nickname of Old Iron-
Constitution serves as a living piece of history. John Benda. USS Constitution’s crew in 1986. sides during the war of 1812, when British
She can be visited and experienced firsthand, “I know the crew is in great hands with Today women comprise more than one cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s
connecting us to those who had a vision of Commander Farrell,” said Benda. “This his- third of the 80-person crew. wooden hull.

FigHt (from Page 4) ing and other processes. “A lot of times folks Biles said. “Our analysis provides recom- airlines do. They allow women to fly through
will identify an issue at the tactical level and mendations to evolve requirements that were the majority of the pregnancy without placing
antiquated or impedes mission success. pass it up the line,” Walters said. developed 50-60 years ago, which were based the mothers or the missions at risk.”
“Our capabilities, technology and missions The groups also work with other service on anthropometric averages from a different The Air Force is now investigating the
have evolved, as has the population which counterparts to share experiences, solutions demographic than currently serves today. possibility of allowing aviators with doctor
currently serves today,” Biles said. “Future
conflicts do not have the same requirements and best practices. The result of not updating these policies is confirmed “uncomplicated pregnancies” to
that past conflicts had. How we train and One example was that body armor — de- an artificial limitation regarding recruitment continue flying longer, which would increase
our requirements need to be evaluated signed for men — is not a good fit for women. potential into key military positions.” readiness and positively impact culture.
and must evolve to ensure we are recruit- Another was the requirement for women to Pregnancy is another area of discussion. At Tied to this is the issue of breastfeeding.
ing and training the most effective force. wear their hair in a bun. Pilots found that one time, if a woman became pregnant, she Most obstetricians and pediatricians recom-
That means enacting policies and best having a bun made the helmets fit poorly, was involuntarily discharged from service. mend mothers breastfeed their babies. If they
practices designed to intentionally develop impacting safety, Walters said. These groom- Now, of course, women can continue to serve are home stationed, women can use a breast
those serving today, not keeping outdated ing changes made their way up the food while pregnant. But there are still limitations pump to feed their children while at work. The
standards only for the sake of tradition or chain, and Air Force leaders approved them pertaining to pregnant aviators that the bar- problem comes when mission requirements
because that is how we’ve always done it.” last year. rier analysis groups are examining. Previ- drive temporary dislocation. The groups are
Leaders realized some of these outdated Height and weight requirements are an- ously, if a woman became pregnant, she was looking for ways to ship the breast milk home.
policies disproportionately affect one gen- other area under scrutiny. The groups are automatically taken off flight status. “Now There are undoubtedly other areas where
der and have empowered the WIT to help looking at the reasons behind some of these we’ve opened the aperture so that you can there may be barriers to women’s service.
eliminate them. requirements. Women are generally shorter fly during the second trimester,” Walters said. These barrier analysis groups will continue
It is not just policies that these groups than men. “If there is a mission requirement “But we’re looking at [Federal Aviation Ad- to work to enable women to contribute to
study, but equipment, uniforms, gear, groom- driving the height restrictions, that’s fine,” ministration] practices and what commercial national defense.