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    Showcasing 6 Whiteman AFB female pilots for Women's History Month

    Showcasing 6 Whiteman AFB female pilots during Women's History Month

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kayla White | Capt. Jennifer Crum, a pilot assigned to the 13th Bomb Squadron, poses for a portrait...... read more read more

    WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, UNITED STATES

    03.08.2019

    Story by Staff Sgt. Kayla White 

    509th Bomb Wing

    Whiteman Air Force Base has the most female pilots at one time that it's ever had. For the first time in history, the 509th Bomb Wing has six female aviators and in recognition of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2019, we asked them to share their thoughts and experiences. Check out the video on Facebook.com/WhitemanAirForceBase.




    International Women's Day is worldwide celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

    The first​ International Women's Day gathering was in 1911 and supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. This year’s theme is Balance for Better. Learn more at www.internationalwomensday.com








    Lt. Col. Nicola Polidor, 509th Bomb Wing


    What I would like to pass onto my daughter is that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to, much like my mother taught me. My children see both of their parents put on flight suits every day and go to work. I want them to grow up in a world where that is normal and that they can accomplish whatever they strive for.





    Capt. Lauren Kram, 13th Bomb Squadron


    When a lot of people think of what being in the military or being a pilot, they usually think of boys or men, but there are a lot of women in the military, in aviation. A lot of my friends are female pilots. It doesn’t matter really the gender, as long as you want to do it, you go through the training and you earn it like everyone else





    Capt. Jennifer Crum, 13th Bomb Squadron


    I was inspired to become a pilot at the Air Force Academy where I first flew in a glider. I later became a civilian pilot, where my husband taught me how to fly. I caught the flying bug and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of flying is that initial takeoff when you feel the jet lift away from the pavement for the first time. It’s a feeling that you can’t replicate anywhere else.





    Capt. Sarah Kociuba, 393rd Bomb Squadron


    One of the coolest flights I’ve ever had, I got to take the B-2 out to Wake Island to do a hot-pit refuel. That was pretty neat. Using all the skills I’ve learned up until now, doing a pretty cool approach, landing there, getting the fuel and taking back off. Just taking a quick look back down at the island in the waves before I kept going.





    1st Lt. Lacey Orians, 13th Bomb Squadron


    As a female in a male-operated and male-dominated career field, it is important for females to keep pushing those boundaries and to continue to try to break into things that usually aren’t encouraged or expected of women, to make it more equal, more achievable for everyone.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.08.2019
    Date Posted: 03.26.2019 18:25
    Story ID: 315765
    Location: WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, US

    Web Views: 193
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN