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BULLSEYE News 7July 10, 2015
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HISTORY, from page 6 _________ “(The Weapons School) is will be excellent leaders for the (U.S.
challenging, but it’s also the Air Force).”
Base, Nevada, June 27. best flying I’ve ever had the
Armstrong also became the first opportunity to participate in.” Her fellow classmates were essential
to Armstrong’s success. She advised
female F-15E weapons system officer — Capt. Kari Armstrong, 389th Fighter Squadron potential Weapons School students
and the second female student in a to “stay positive and lean on your
fighter platform — after Col. Jeannie very proficient at your job, but also erational conditions most students classmates for support — look for the
Leavitt in June 1998 — to complete the being willing and available to help ever see. little wins.”
graduate-level school. those around you.”
“Going through the course, I didn’t Small successes during the course
While she appreciates the historical Her skills and teaching acumen feel singled out,” Armstrong said. “At are important. They help counter the
aspect of her experience, Armstrong resulted in her selection to the 17th the end of the day, (gender) doesn’t challenging hours of training and the
said her vision for the future goes be- Weapons Squadron’s F-15E Weapons matter in the briefing rooms. All that constructive feedback from instructors.
yond her gender. Her ultimate goals Instructor Course on her first appli- matters is the quality of your brief,
are to be the best instructor she can cation to the Weapons School. After execution and debrief.” As she returns to the 389th FS
be and to inspire others to excel in the arriving, Armstrong soon realized and Mountain Home Air Force Base,
same way her mentors did. Those goals she might be the first female WSO to The 17th WPS leadership echoed Armstrong said she hopes to encour-
motivated her to apply to the Weapons graduate from the fighter weapons that sentiment. age other Weapons School officers to
School in the first place. instructor course; however, she could apply for the school. She wants them
not allow herself to think about that. “Captain Armstrong’s accomplish- to know becoming a Patch is an at-
Armstrong did not have to put She had to focus on the 260 academic ments are notable simply because of tainable goal; however, “It is not a
herself through Weapons School — a hours, 28 flying missions and a course her ability,” said Lt. Col. James Blan- goal you can complete overnight; it is
rigorous school that selects only the designed to contain the toughest op- ton, the 17th WPS commander. “She’s something you have to work hard at
top three percent of F-15E aircrew, a very good aviator and instructor. Re- every single day.
with an elimination rate of 10 percent gardless of gender, all of our students
per class. However, Armstrong had “(The Weapons School) is challeng-
observed and admired the graduates ing, but it’s also the best f lying I’ve
— also known as “Patches” — at her ever had the opportunity to partici-
unit for some time. pate in,” Armstrong continued. “Un-
less you go to a Red Flag, you won’t
“I realized that the people I wanted typically see how all the platforms
to emulate the most happened to be work together. Getting outside your
Patches,” Armstrong said. “They real- own bubble helps you see the bigger
ly summed up the ‘humble, approach- picture of how we all play a role in the
able, credible’ motto of the Weapons overall mission.”
School. To me, a Patch means being
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