Female Air Force Pilots and Combat Aircraft - the Right Stuff Has No Gender
Abstract
During the past ten years, female pilots, navigators, and crewmembers have been fully integrated into the United States Air Force. They presently fly all aircraft except those determined to be combat related. Women are restricted from these aircraft due to a 1948 law passed by Congress that excluded female pilots from flying aircraft while engaged in combat missions. This article argues that one's gender does not determine whether an individual has "the right stuff" to fly combat aircraft. In doing so, it covers a brief history of female pilots, examines the combat exclusion and its consequences, looks at some myths concerning female pilots in combat, and reviews the law's present status in the 100th Congress. In addition, the article tries to uncover the reason Congress cannot bring itself to amend a law which has outlived its usefulness and has become a hindrance to Air Force readiness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA181021
Entities
People
- Sandra L. Bateman
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College