2006 Thunderbirds team includes first female pilot

Air Force Link ^ | 16 June 2005 | From ACC via Air Force Link

[saminfl]

If she is from the 494th, she flew F-15E's.

[Modernman]

Have to ask, why would we let a woman in combat in an aircraft when they are not permitted to do the same in a ground combat unit?

My thought would be that many of the objections to a woman being in ground combat (smaller size, less body strength etc.) would not really apply to a fighter jock.

To be honest, I can't see any real reason to exclude women from any non-ground combat roles.

[quark]

Crack pilot...

[windcliff]

Love those pics.

[Drago]

Kind of a gray area right now...only banned from "direct ground combat".
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-05-25-women-combat_x.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/19/women.combat.ap/

[Bubba]

Hooked on crack!

[ProudVet77]

"To be honest, I can't see any real reason to exclude women from any non-ground combat roles."

Not all cultures provide for equal status for women. Bailing out into one of these cultures would not be a good thing for a woman pilot. Some cultures enjoy rape, others enjoy stoning, others female circumcision.
To be blunt a woman bailing out is a lot more alone than one captured with her squad/platoon, as happened in GWII.

[Hunble]

On the other hand, some cultures enjoy male rape, others enjoy stoning, others male circumcision.

I have no problems with female fighter pilots. In many ways, they are better for the job that they have to do.

Any pilot, male or female, will probably be subjected to many forms of torture. That is what happens in a war.

[Robe]

Well, there goes another empty kitchen.......

[Gunslingr3]

If she can't fly in combat why is she flying an F-16?

She can fly in combat.

[Blue Scourge]

Give me a nimble Viper over a hornet anyday.

[ProudVet77]

Any pilot, male or female, will probably be subjected to many forms of torture. That is what happens in a war.

Most of us that have been there know this. Most of the people that think this is a good thing have not been there.

[Professional Engineer]

Bump!!

[sharktrager]

All these posts and nobody has pointed out how hot she is!

[silverleaf]

The guys better watch it- her body can withstand more G's than theirs.

[Publius6961]

Is that really necessary?
Specially when...

Never mind...

[cubreporter]

Because she is highly competent and able.

[cubreporter]

I guess if you can't accept something you make a joke.

[Publius6961]

Remember those buildings getting ventilated by an A-10 in Baghdad? Much of that was done by a woman (who managed to land her badly shot up aircraft.)

It may not be the same woman, but the most beautiful pilot I ever saw was on a History Channel Feature hour about the A-10.
I have it on tape, and every time I see it I can't help wondering what became of her.

[ProudVet77]

Has cubreporter ever experienced SERE training?