Page 12 - Women's History Month 2021 - Combined Special Edition of Luke AFB Thunderbolt | Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News

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Trailblazing Army aviator recalls her career, ‘wouldn’t change a thing’ GirL (from Page 4) diversity was a topic. The Webster Diction- Michels, an instructor loadmaster with Force story, lighting the spark inside young
In each speech, the importance of rated
women’s minds and inspiring them to do
the 58th AS, represented Altus AFB at the
together at one time. Although the Fly-In ary defines rated diversity as “the condition event. great things.”
was an event focused on women, men were of having or being composed of differing ele- “I think females especially should kill Only 20% of the Air Force is comprised
by “Flight school was the hardest school 12X and later became an instructor pilot her daughter Megan, among her biggest welcome to attend, and many did — show- ments, especially the inclusion of different the fear in what they’re doing and just be of women, and only 5% of those women are
MElony BaGWEll I’ve attended. It was such a long period of on several of those aircraft. accomplishments. She credits her success ing strong support and understanding types of people in a group or organization.” confident,” said Michels. “I think young aviators. Although serving in the Air Force
time, and they were constantly watching “I believe women have always had a lot of in the military to her husband. for fellow aviators. During the four-day For the military — and particularly female women, especially in our career field, need is a rewarding career, many challenges still
INSCOM - April 13, 2017
you,” Jarrell said. “Flight school could last opportunities in the military and especially “He has always been there, gives me event, women had the chance to interact aviators — this meaning is much deeper. to have confidence and an ‘I’m not afraid to arise in and out of the workplace for female
FoRT BElvoiR, va. — Inspired by anywhere between nine months and one now that many of the military occupational guidance, been supportive of me and a great and connect with their wingmen to solve Despite years of progress, rated diversity step outside the box’ mentality. When you do aviators. The purpose of the Fly-In was
some of history’s great female aviators like year depending on the aircraft you are as- series are open to them,” she said. person to talk to,” Jarrell said. “He had to the ongoing challenges of rated diversity has been an ongoing issue that is a heavy this you grow, learn something new, and get to allow women the opportunity to share,
Amelia Earhart and World War II Women signed to fly.” During her time flying combat aircraft, give a lot to allow me to stay in.” throughout the military, while also offering and difficult topic to discuss for many to see what you’re capable of. This event was network and discover solutions to problems
Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), Army Upon graduation, Jarrell was assigned to Jarrell flew in a number of combat situa- As for daughter Megan, she is in her interactive opportunities for young aviators women. Some of these problems include something special and important because it that affect their workplaces and personal
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Cathy Jarrell, pilot the UH-1H “Huey” helicopter. tions while supporting NATO-led Opera- second year at the U.S. Military Academy to see what the Air Force can offer. unequal treatment, difficulties with family highlighted these things and honored who lives. Airmen attending the conference said
command chief warrant officer and bri- “The Huey is a great aircraft, very forgiv- tion Joint Endeavor, NATO-led Stabiliza- West Point and following in her mom’s foot- “This is definitely one of my most memo- planning, unfairness based on gender, and we as women truly are.” the event did just that and more.
gade standardization officer for the 116th ing and basic and it was a great workhorse tion Forces, Operation Iraqi Freedom, steps. She hopes to become either an aviator rable TDYs I have been on throughout my unprofessional behavior in the workplace. On Sept. 21, 2018, aircrew had the oppor- “I truly enjoyed getting to work with my
Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, in Vietnam,” she said. Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, or military intelligence officer when she career,” said Master Sgt. Samantha Con- “I think this event is the perfect time to tunity to volunteer at the “Girls in Aviation girls this week. It’s something, especially in
Georgia, always knew she wanted to fly. Although Jarrell enjoyed flying the Huey, and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghan- graduates. Her goal is to carry on the Army verse, a KC-135 Stratotanker instructor/ have the conversations we don’t have in Day” at the Frontiers of Flight Museum the aviation career field, you don’t see very
As a young girl, Jarrell lived near Sey- she wanted to try another airframe. So she istan. tradition set by both her mom and dad. evaluator boom operator assigned to the our day-to-day lives, especially when be- in Fort Worth. This unique event, hosted often,” said Gooch. “There is just something
mour Johnson Air Force Base in North volunteered for AH-64 Apache helicopter “All of my deployments have held an ele- “I am so proud of Megan,” Jarrell said. 54th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus Air ing in a career field that is predominantly by the North Texas Chapter of Women in different, something more understanding
Carolina and loved watching B-52 aircraft training and was selected. ment of excitement and mystery,” Jarrell “I encourage her to be positive and always Force Base, Oklahoma. “Never in my 15 male,” said Maj. Rececca Deroche, a C-17 Aviation International, is a free opportunity about working with women that I enjoy.
flying over her home. The daughter of a In the summer of 1993, Jarrell and two said. “The ‘Mad Max’ drive to Baghdad was show enthusiasm for what she is doing — no years in the Air Force have I seen, let alone Globemaster III evaluator pilot assigned for girls ages eight to 18 to be introduced Since we don’t get to do that very often, this
former Air Force civil engineer, she enjoyed other female Army pilots made history among the most exhilarating.” matter what the task.” been a part of, a group of women this big. to the 58th Airlift Squadron, Altus AFB. to the possibilities available in an aviation opportunity has truly been one-of-a-kind
being around the base and the planes and when they graduated from flight school and In her current position at the 116th MI Jarrell believes she has succeeded in her This is something truly amazing.” “To be in a place where you can be received career field. Over 2,000 young women at- and very special to me.”
often told her dad that she would like to were qualified to fly a combat airframe. Ear- Brigade, Jarrell oversees the brigade’s war- career because of the support she received For the first two days of the Fly-In, and accepted by other women facing the tended the event. The AETC Women’s Fly-In drew in the
fly one day. lier that year, then Secretary of Defense Les rant officers and ensures the standardiza- from leadership, fellow warrant officers and distinguished visitors and commanders same challenges is really a valuable thing Aircrew taking part in the Fly-In also of- biggest group of female aviators in the
“My dad was always supportive of my Aspin lifted restrictions, allowing females tion of the brigade’s aviation operations. good noncommissioned officers. were welcomed and gave speeches to mo- to have.” fered incentive flights to female ROTC and Air Force and successfully proved itself
desire to become a pilot,” Jarrell recalled. to fly combat missions. Her leadership considers her a pioneer “I tell Megan to find the best warrants tivate, inform and inspire women from The Mighty 97th sent its own female USAF Academy cadets aboard the C-130 to be a monumental event for women and
“He encouraged me and always told me I Her first assignment on the Apache was for women in Army aviation. and NCOs around and get under their across the Air Force. Some of these DVs aircrew to the event to represent the flying Hercules and KC-135 at Alliance Airfield men throughout the military. Networking,
could be anything I wanted to be.” with the 101st Airborne Division in 1993. “Cathy has had an outstanding career wings,” she said. “They will keep you included Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, AETC com- training mission. The team flying the KC- in Fort Worth. The KC-135 was flown and creative solutions and unbreakable bonds
Jarrell joined the U.S. Army in 1989 “The guys in the unit were like big broth- as an Army aviator and a leader,” said Col. grounded and on track.” mander, Lt. Gen Jacqueline Van Ovost, 135 was Maj. Alexandra Traña, a KC-135 operated by the Altus aircrew and demon- between understanding wingmen were
and was selected to attend the Warrant ers who will pick on you, but wouldn’t let Daniel Mettling, commander, 116th MI Asked what the one thing she would USAF Headquarters Director of Staff, instructor pilot with the 54th ARS, Capt. strated an inflight refueling to the cadets. built while maintaining professionalism at
Officer Flight Training Program. She was anyone else [do the same],” Jarrell said of Brigade. “I am fortunate to have such a change about her career so far, Jarrell said, Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force com- Rebecca Gooch, a KC-135 instructor pilot “I always look forward to the incentive its finest. More than 110 rated officers and
appointed an Army warrant officer in her male counterparts. trailblazer on my team.” “In these 27 years I have been treated so mander, Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, USAF with the 54th ARS, and Master Sgt. Sa- flight and spending time with the cadets,” career enlisted aviators, including a proud
May 1991 and is a graduate of the Initial Jarrell’s desire to fly did not wane. She Along with her incredible career, Jarrell well and been given so many opportunities Recruiting Service commander, and Col. mantha Converse. said Converse. “After every incentive flight Mighty 97th team, gathered to show their
Entry Rotary Wing Course at Fort Rucker, also got qualified on the AH-64D, C12U, considers her 27-year marriage to husband to succeed. I honestly would not change Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Additionally, Maj. Rececca Deroche, Maj. I’ve ever done, a female cadet has pulled support for those who “Fly Like a Girl.”
Alabama. C12J, C12J1, and RC-12N, RC-12K, RC- Van, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, and one thing.” Wing commander, Columbus Air Force Johnathan Taylor, a KC-135 instructor pilot me aside and asked what it is like to be a
Base, Mississippi. with the 54th ARS, and Tech. Sgt. Michelle girl in the Air Force. I love sharing the Air
ATAGS (from Page 10) sions were successfully endurance tested “It is great to see the Air Force bring security forces Airmen at Moody Air Force
with no issue, flight testing began at Eglin female pilots together to test these new Base, Georgia, who received a new body
“I definitely noticed improvement with Air Force Base with the 46th Test Squadron, improvements, and it also gave us a chance armor system designed for women, can be
the new updates and the darted waist in 96th Test Wing providing the engineering to share our career experiences with one an- found here: https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/Units/
particular,” Trimble said. “I honestly didn’t and test planning expertise and the 85th other,” Jamison said. “There are things we FemaleFitment/.
expect to notice much of a difference be- Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, have experienced in our career that many of “These tests are important because they
cause I’d never noticed significant issues executing the flight tests. our colleagues cannot understand, from as will ultimately increase the lethality of
with the ATAGS sizes before, but I was Following the flight testing, the 46th simple as worrying about getting your hair those who no longer have their mask slip
pleasantly surprised that these upgrades Test Squadron will provide a test report, caught in a harness to as complex as how to down during a sortie, their G-suit crunch
increased the ATAGS functionality signifi- explained Rogers. Under the current acqui- return to flying while juggling breastfeeding under their waist, or the extra fabric of a
cantly under G.” sition strategy, the modified ATAGS could your infant. The chance to come together too big anti-exposure suit get in the way of
The modified ATAGS testing is also a be in the hands of fighter pilots and aircrew for an important test, while also receiving their movements in the jet,” Trimble said.
showcase example of developmental and who need it within 12-24 months. continued mentorship and leadership from “These don’t seem like big issues, but ev-
operational test experts coming together For Maj. Shanon Jamison, an F-16 pilot, the female cadre of fighter pilots, was both erything counts in the air, and having gear
to provide solutions for the warfighter. testing the modified ATAGS was a great op- useful and fulfilling.” that fits and works as intended should be
Prior to flight testing, AFLCMC conducted portunity not only to help ensure pilots have Fortunately for Airmen across the Air the standard. I’m excited the Air Force is
developmental endurance testing which gear that fits, works, and prevents G-induced Force, ATAGS is not the only gear getting working to identify and fix these issues,
simulated 14 years of use on identically loss of consciousness, or G-LOC, but also to modified or adapted for women. More infor- especially in innovative ways like provide
designed modified ATAGS. Once those ver- connect with other female fighter pilots. mation on female fitment efforts, like the AFE new modification options.”

wasps (from Page 2) ans’ organization at the time, and members Law 95-202, Title IV, on Nov. 23, 1977, which all that should matter. You should pursue
lobbied and spoke to the media until their granted former WASPs veteran status with whatever it is you want, and you should
service was finally recognized by Congress. limited benefits. The Air Force graduated its not allow people to say, ‘Oh, you can’t do
which veteran’s status would have entitled The legislation “became the only piece first female pilots that same year. In 1984, that.’ Just do the best you can and I hope
them, and the families of the girls who had
been killed in the performance of their du- of legislation in history to be co-sponsored the WASPs received World War II Victory you can make it.”
ties were denied the gratuities which they by every woman member in Congress,” Medals and, for those who had served more Both Wise and haydu said they are im-
she said. “One of the long overdue items
than one year, American Theater Ribbon/
would have received as beneficiaries of included in the WASP bill was for the American Campaign Medals. pressed by the female airmen of today.
military personnel. women telephone operators of World War On March 10, 2010, the Congressional “I’m so impressed by what women pilots
For 35 years, the women weren’t allowed are doing today, flying combat missions,”
to call themselves veterans and their re- I to be recognized as war veterans. They Gold Medal, the highest civilian award Wise said. “The military is not for everyone
cords were classified and sealed from the had never been given this status, in spite bestowed by Congress, was presented to but it offers a great opportunity to young
of the fact they were stationed in the front
the WASPs. Haydu said she was tremen-
public. They fought Congress and pushed line trenches side-by-side with the fighting dously proud and happy the WASPs finally women.”
for publicity. Haydu said they didn’t care soldiers.” received their recognition. “I admire the women who fly today,”
as much about the benefits as much as for Haydu said. “The navigation has changed
the chance to serve and to be recognized Victory at last female pilots of the future so much. There have been huge improve-
as veterans. What sealed the deal, Haydu said, was Haydu said she enjoys sharing her stories ments. All-women crews are just fantastic.
When the first women began to enter the the WASPs in their Santiago blue uniforms with Air Force service members and at Boys They do every job, from the loadmaster to
service academies in 1976 and to fly mili- descending on Washington after sending and Girls Clubs, and said that during her the navigator to the pilot, to every job that
tary aircraft, contemporary media reports letters and telegrams, making telephone speeches, her goal is to stress equality. there is to be done in the aircraft. It just
indicated that it was the first time women calls and pushing publicity in their home “It’s not what sex you are,” she said. proves that an airplane knows no sex. It
could fly for the U.S. military. towns. “It’s what you can do, and if you can be doesn’t know whether a man or a woman
Haydu was president of the WASP veter- President Jimmy Carter signed Public successful at something that should be is flying it.”