Girl Power
 

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- A crew of six Airmen at a forward deployed location climbed aboard a C-130 Hercules together recently for the first time in their careers. But something distinguished this mission from others they had flown --it was the first time an all-female C-130 crew flew a combat mission.

Capt. Carol Mitchell, aircraft commander; 1st Lt. Siobhan Couturier, pilot; Capt. Anita T. Mack, navigator; Staff Sgt. Josie E. Harshe, flight engineer; and loadmasters Tech. Sgt. Sigrid M. Carrero-Perez and Senior Airman Ci Ci Alonzo are all permanently assigned to the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and currently are deployed to the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flying cargo and troops in and out of Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

While some would call their mission “historic,” they feel this mission should be recognized like every other flight -- a successful combat mission.

“I enjoyed flying with this crew, but I don’t think we should go out of our way to have all-female crews,” said Captain Mitchell. “It took a long time for women to become accepted as aircrew members, and now that we are, we would be taking a step back by singling ourselves out rather than blending in with the rest of the Air Force.”

Airman Alonzo agrees. “It was a great experience not many females can say they’ve had,” she said. However I don’t believe the Air Force should seek out all-female crews -- instead, we should focus on experience.

“The Air Force should have the best crews they can put together. Nothing other than qualification and ability should be considered,” said Captain Mack.

Not only did this all female crew fly together for the first time, 6,800 miles from home-station, but they flew the mission on a Vietnam-era airplane -- a significance the crew did not miss.

“Our aircraft was a 1962 model. It came off the line when women weren’t accepted as C-130 aircrew, let alone in combat,” said Sergeant Harshe.

After the excitement of this all-female C-130 crew flying the first combat mission together wore off, they focused on what really mattered.

“What matters is knowing we’re making a difference and seeing it with every mission we fly,“ said Airman Alonzo. "It's also moving troops into the theater where they’re needed, seeing the excitement and relief on the faces of the guys and gals we take out of theater who have been there for six months to a year and are on their way home to their loved ones."

During the mission, the crew transported 151 Marines and their equipment.

Another thing they all agreed upon, the mission was a true experience.

“It was a fun thing to be able to say you did, if only once. Not that it is better, this was just different, and probably won’t happen for us again anytime soon just because of the sheer numbers,” said Sergeant Harshe.

Captain Mitchell said one additional benefit of this all female flight was gaining a different perspective.

“One way to avoid complacency is to mix the crews up a little, fly with some different people to get a different perspective,” she said. “And what better way to mix the crews up than by putting all the girls on the same crew?”

While the all-female crew did accomplish a unique milestone together, they point out that the significance of their mission success is that every crewmember achieved personal goals to get there.

“I encourage any girl or woman to do what she wants. Too often I hear people say they can’t do something but it is because they don’t realize they have the opportunity,” Captain Mack said. “I would tell any person flying is an attainable goal for anyone who wants to work for it. As they say, you are only limited in what you can do by what you can dream.”



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Blue rah!

LOL!

That crew are wearing their pistols like gunslingers! :D

Rigger
 

I come from an all Male Navy - Day's far gone now for sure. Ya know - we men all know how smart our wives are (some take a little longer to learn). These gals deserve a well done in my book. They've come a long way and we haven't made it easy on them in most cases.

Issues and old school thoughts can still come into play regarding any of them being on the line or taken captive. But I guess we will have to work through a few more generations before they breed that out of the male mind.

I cringe thinking about those taken captive and the idea of a woman being taken doesn't do my thinking cap any justice. Once again this is old school training from the 40's and 50's where we were trained that women needed to be protected at any cost. It's engrained and a difficult issue to address even late in my years.

I salute these gals for their hard work and efforts getting where they are at. They are all skilled and no doubt lots smarter than me in many ways. They've proven their point that they can do the job. It's just that in my mind I can't help but worry for them - regardless of their best efforts to make this an issue old school issue.

Not sure what you guys think. But I will make every effort to given them the space they want I just can't give them 100% at this time that I won't worry for them - does this make sense?

I know I could count on many of these gals covering my six better that of some guys I knew - that I wouldn't want covering my ass if my life was on the line. I'd take my wife she's a crack shot and by the time I'm done my daughter's will also be able to defend themselves. Next comes the Grandkids - If they are willing I'm here to make sure they have that opportunity.

Its a whole new world
 

Boats,

I know exactly what you are saying. Most of us baby-boomers were brought up that our women were to be protected. We hold open doors for them and lift heavy objects for them, etc etc.

But, think about it. American women have ALWAYS had their butts "on the line" in every war we've been in....from the revolution on forward.

The only difference is that now there's a piece of paper that says they are "combat official".

Women manned cannon at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.

A few served as infantry (and one doctor) in the Civil War.

How many nurses were killed by German subs in the Atlantic, or by Jap Zeroes in the Pacific?

Some were killed, some were taken captive.

We CAN'T always protect them.

So, if there gonna get shot anyway, they may as well have the authority to shoot back.

And that's the name of that tune.

Did they stop and ask for directions? :D

:D That aircraft commander has the look of a very stern woman