Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, April 12, 2019
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vol. 3, no. 8 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR April 12, 2019
An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
Airmen chart new path for female-specific flight equipment
by Airman 1st Class Bailee A. Darbasie Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Bailee A. Darbasie acquires and sustains all equipment for
male and female Airmen,†said Human
Nellis AFB, Nev. Participants of the Female Flight Equipment Workshop review various flight suits designs Systems Program Office Deputy Chief
at AFWERX Vegas, Las Vegas, Jan. 30, 2019. The AFWERX Vegas events established the Lt. Col. Elaine Bryant, assigned to
The Air Force is working to redesign communication needed between the consumer, designers and suppliers to reach a mutual Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
the gear used by female pilots across goal of understanding and development for female flight equipment. “We are committed to hearing our
the force, after facing challenges with consumers’ voices, and we will make
current flight equipment. below average height have a hard time said Ellis. “If an aircrew member ejects the changes necessary to our current
finding suits that fit their body type. from the aircraft with equipment that process to meet their needs.â€
“We have women performing in doesn’t fit, they can be severely injured
every combat mission, and we owe it to Even if a woman found a flight suit or lose their life.†The workshops established the
them to have gear that fits, is suited for close to her size, the flight suit zipper is communication needed between the
a woman’s frame and [one] can be in for designed for men—not women. Female The Air Force and Air Combat Com- consumer, designers and suppliers to
hours on end,†said Air Force Chief of aircrew struggle with relieving them- mand are working to find a feasible reach a mutual goal of understanding
Staff Gen. David Goldfein at a Defense selves during flights because the flight solution for aircrew members. and development.
Writers Group breakfast March 2018 in suit zipper isn’t designed low enough
Washington, D.C. for them to properly use their urinary Part of the strategy to correct the “We now have some pretty clear ac-
devices. uniform problem was to take part in tions coming out of the Female Flight
The majority of the equipment cur- several collaborative Female Flight Equipment Workshops,†said Bryant.
rently worn by pilots was built off “There are flight suits that were de- Equipment Workshops at AFWERX “We’ve heard the feedback, and we
anthropometric data from the 1960s, signed with longer zippers for women, Vegas. Female Airmen stationed across want to make sure we have actionable
a time when only men were in aviator but they’re almost never available,†said the globe traveled to the innovation hub things we’re accomplishing within spe-
roles. Ellis. “It’s common for females to have and attended the workshops to explore cific time frames for our consumers.â€
to wait months to receive the flight suit areas of opportunity and come up with
The lack of variety and representa- they’ve ordered which causes them to proposed solutions. The Human Systems Program Office
tion in the current designs have caused have to wear the male one.†will strive to make progressive changes
multiple issues for women, said 14th “The purpose of the workshops is to within their operations and better their
Flying Training Wing Commander Col. Along with the possibility of injury bring together female aviators, Aircrew acquisition process, explained Bryant.
Samantha Weeks, assigned to Columbus and discomfort associated with G-suits Flight Equipment, Human Systems
Air Force Base, Miss. and flight suits, women struggle to get Program Office personnel and subject “We will take the field up on their
their life-saving gear to fit accordingly. matter experts to understand the cur- offers of coming out to the units and
Many of the uniform issues circulate The process of ejecting is so powerful, rent products, the acquisition process meeting the aircrew for whom we
around G-suits, flight suits, urinary even pilots with well-fitting gear are at and the actual needs from the field,†supply,†said Bryant. “We’ll ensure we
devices and survival vests. a serious risk of injury. It’s important said Weeks. maintain the lines of communication
for aviators to be heard and the mod- needed to better our program.â€
“The challenges other female aviators ernization of equipment for everyone Throughout the workshops, aviators
and I face are the fit and availability of continues, said Ellis. participated in briefings, as well as dis- Another major improvement for
our flight equipment,†said 57th Adver- cussions and exercises with the agencies female aviators is the adoption of the
sary Tactics Group Executive Officer “In certain situations, having ill- involved in the design and distribution Battlefield Airmen Rapid Resource Re-
Capt. Lauren Ellis. fitting gear, such as harnesses and sur- of their gear. plenishment System (BARS), a central-
vival vests, can result in a loss of life,†ly managed equipment facility. BARS
Limited sizes and accessibility often “The Human Systems Program Office is capable of shipping needed resources
force aircrew to order the wrong size and directly to female aircrew. Using this
have it extensively altered to fit properly, system will allow women to acquire
taking time and money away from the the proper fitting equipment they need
mission, said Ellis. within an acceptable timeline.
“All of the bladders on my G-suit “BARS is a step in the right direc-
need to be modified,†said Ellis. “It’s a tion,†said Ellis. “Everyone deserves to
lot of work for the Aircrew Flight Equip- have equipment that fits them. There
ment (AFE) Airmen. Even after they’re are certain things we have to adapt to,
modified, the proportions don’t fit.†but as long as we’re trying to improve
and modernize our gear, we can be a
G-suits are vital anti-gravity gear for more ready and lethal force.â€
aviators. The bladders in the suit fill with
air and apply pressure to the pilot’s body “The Air Force has evolved over the
to prevent a loss of consciousness during years and continues to evolve,†echoed
high levels of acceleration. Not having Weeks. “Female aviators entering the
a properly fitted G-suit could lead to Air Force now will not have the same
hypoxia followed by unconsciousness. issues I had over the last 21 years.â€
Ellis said ill-fitting flight suits are a
common problem for men and women.
Aircrew who are significantly above or
INSIDE: Commentary - 2; News - 3-4; Veteran’s News - 5-6; Lighter Side - 10 & 12
