Women Air Force Service Pilots

"WASP"

Research By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette

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The formation of a group of Army Air Corp Women pilots began early in 1941 when the famous air racer, Jackie Cochran approached General Henry “Hap” Arnold with her idea. Jackie’s plan was the development of and Army Air Corp unit consisting of women ferry pilots like the proven system that the RAF was using at the time during the first years of war in Europe . General Arnold was supportive and arranged for Jackie to co-pilot the flight of a current four-engine bomber from the United States to England to prove that women had the necessary skills to pilot and navigate a capital military bomber. Jackie was only able to observe the male bomber pilot perform the take off and landing but Jackie handled the flight most of the way.

After the bomber flight Jackie returned to the U.S. and was invited to meet with the President and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. At the luncheon Jackie approached Mrs. Roosevelt with the idea of training women in military aircraft. Mrs. Roosevelt was a major supporter of this idea. She was also instrumental in the development of the Tuskegee Institute for the advancement of African/American pilots. The President’s wife knew the possibilities that were available in the talent of women aviators and the contribution they could lend to an American entry into war which was imamate. Thus the big wheels started to roll. Before the war was over women were in factories building the fighters and bombers as well as delivering the aircraft to Army and Navy airfields all over the United States .

General Arnold with further political and military support arranged for Jackie to recruit 24 experienced pilots to serve with the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) program and travel to England under an 18 month contract. This consisted of civilian men and women.

Another noted woman pilot, Nancy Love was also approaching her own political contacts to form a ferry pilot service using women aviators. Nancy knew many women personally that were well qualified to service with the unit. While Jackie Cochran was in England the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor . After the attack Nancy Love was approached by the Air Transport Command to form a ferrying service using experienced women pilots without the need for military training. The recruits were notified to report to Wilmington , Delaware (New Castle Army Air Base) September, 1942.  By October, 1942 they had a total of 28 women known as WAFS (Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron).

Jackie Cochran returned from England in September, 1942.  At that time General “Hap” Arnold gave her the authority to start the Women’s Flying Training Detachment which opened in Houston , Texas in November 1942. In March 1943 the training base was moved to Avenger Field, Sweetwater , Texas . Because the program was experimental the trainees were Civil Service Employees rather than military members of the Army Air Force. They were given the same training as the male cadets.

In August, 1943 both the WAFS and WFTD were joined to become the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Jackie Cochran was in command of the entire WASP program and Nancy Love was in command of the women pilots who flew in the ferrying command which included WAFS and some graduate WASP. The duties of the WASP expanded to fly for the Training Command performing all stateside duties.

The Women Air Force Service Pilots was disbanded before the group became official Air Corp personal. The last graduating class was in December 1944 and the actual deactivation date was December 20th.

The total miles flown by the women pilots was 60,000,000 delivering 12,652 aircraft consisting of single engine to four-engine bombers. One thousand one hundred and two women served as WASP with thirty-eight losing their lives in their duties. They flew seventy-seven different types of aircraft and served with distinction in the history of the United States Air Corp during the hardest time of World War Two.

In November, 1977 President Carter signed the bill recognizing the WASP as veterans of WWII.

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Posted March 1, 2009