11th Airborne Division hosts historic all-women jump

Photo By Alejandro Pena | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Elizabeth Knox, commanding officer of the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, briefs paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, in advance of an all-women’s jump at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 7, 2023. The airborne operation was held in recognition of women’s history month, and marked the first all-female jump in division history. Every battalion in the 2/11 was represented in the jump, as well as members of Division staff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

03.07.2023

Story by Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson   

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division conducted an all-women jump at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 7, 2023.

The airborne operation recognized the importance of Women’s History Month, and marked the first all-female jump in 11th Airborne Division history.

“Women’s History Month reminds us that the Army’s strength is its people,’ said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commander of the division. “Being a diverse force makes us stronger and better.”

Every battalion in the Spartan Brigade was represented in the jump, as well as members of the headquarters and headquarters company and division staff.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be a member of the team and to be able to be in the first jump within this division as an all-female team,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Wohlmaker, squad leader for Bravo Company, 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion.

Spc. Jayln Sphon, a paratrooper assigned to the 725th Brigade Support Battalion, carried her father’s Navy parachutist insignia during the event, recognizing her family’s generational heritage of leaping from aircraft.

The 50-woman jump was supported by the 19th Airlift Wing based at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, who are in Alaska for exercise Predictable Iron.

• Date Taken: 03.07.2023
• Date Posted: 03.14.2023 19:19
• Story ID: 440210
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US