Page 9 - Aerotech News and Review, March 19, 2021

Women’s History Month
Women in test history

by Jeannine M. Geiger
Edwards AFB, Calif.
In today’s uncertain times, it is
even more important to celebrate
all aspects of human history, and
Women’s History Month plays an
important part in the highlighting
achievements that may have been
buried throughout history.
The United States has just entered
its second century of promoting the
advancement and achievements of
women, making this time period
perhaps more important than others.
The National Women’s History
Alliance selects and publishes the Air Force photograph
yearly theme, and the theme for Air Force photograph
Women’s History Month in 2021 Col. Dawn M. Dunlop, the first woman Capt. Jane L. Holley, the first female
to command the 412th Test Wing, in
captures the spirit of these challeng- 2010. Dunlop is also the first woman graduate of U.S. Air Force Test Pilot
ing times. to fly an F-22 Raptor, tail number School class 74B, in 1975. Holley is
Since many of the women’s suf- 4006, at Edwards AFB, Calif. the first woman to graduate from the
frage centennial celebrations origi- TPS as a flight test engineer.
nally scheduled for 2020 were achievements during the lead-up to Harmon Aviatrix Trophies for the ef-
curtailed, the National Women’s World War II. fort (Yeager won the Aviator trophy
History Alliance is extending the The first women stationed at the that year). At her death in 1980, Co-
annual theme for 2021 to “Valiant base arrived at the Muroc Bombing chran held more speed, distance, and
Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be and Gunnery range in 1944 as part of altitude records than any other pilot,
Silenced.” the Women’s Army Corps. However, which remains true today. Air Force photograph
Just as they have in other fields, women would not arrive at Edwards In 1975, Capt. Jane L. Holley, a Jacqueline Cochran standing on the wing of an F-86. In 1953, Jacqueline
women pioneers have played a major in official test roles until the mid- student in Test Pilot School class Cochran made two supersonic dives in a Canadian-built F-86 Sabre, becoming
the first woman to exceed the speed of sound. At her death in 1980, Cochran
role in the aerospace field, particular- 1970s. These early female Testers 74B, became the first woman to grad- held more speed, distance, and altitude records than any other pilot, which
ly at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. laid the foundation for their succes- uate from the training as an engineer. remains true today.
While women have always sup- In 1990, the National Aeronautics
ported and participated in military sors, who continue to make history and Space Administration selected Shuttle Endeavor launched on a five- at Edwards.
campaigns, either in support roles today. Maj. Eileen Collins (a graduate of day mission. The trials and tribulations of
In 1944, Ann Gilpin Baumgartner,
or, more rarely, in combat, American a a member of the Women’s Airforce TPS Class 89B) as a Space Shuttle In 2010, Col. Dawn M. Dunlop early women pioneers need to be re-
women participated in the Army Air Service Pilots assigned to the Flight pilot candidate. Collins was the first assumed command of the 412th Test membered and not forgotten. These
Corps, the forerunner to today’s U.S. woman selected for this program. Wing, the first woman to command Airmen risked all that they had for
Air Force, and recorded significant Test Division, flew a YP-59A, be- In 1993, Lt. Col. Susan J. Helms the test wing. She was also been this cause. They impacted their lo-
came the first woman to fly a jet air- the first woman to fly an F-22 Rap- cal communities, their nation and
craft. became the first female military as-
In 1953, Jacqueline Cochran made tronaut to enter space when Space tor when she flew F-22 number 4006 their world.
two supersonic dives in a Canadian-
built F-86 Sabre, becoming the first
woman to exceed the speed of sound.
Later the same day, she flew the same
plane over Edwards Air Force Base
Low-Level Course, setting a new
speed record of 652.337 miles per
hour. A chase plane piloted by then-
Maj. Charles Yeager accompanied
her and she received one of her five

Air Force photograph
In 1993, Lt. Col. Susan J. Helms became the first female military astronaut to
enter space when Space Shuttle Endeavor launched on a five-day mission. Air Force photograph
Pictured is the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School graduating class 88A. Inset The National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected Maj. Eileen Collins, a graduate of U.S. Air Force Test Pilot
(NASA photograph): NASA Astronaut Susan J. Helms. School Class 89B, as a Space Shuttle pilot candidate in 1990. Collins was the first woman selected for this program.

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