Women Military Aviators - Public

Women Military Aviators - Public Preserving the past, promoting the present, and protecting the future of women in military aviation. Women Military Aviators, Inc.

was formed by two groups of women pilots separated by 39 years of history. In March 1978, a small group of Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) formed and incorporated the Women’s Military Pilots Association (WMPA), Inc. with the idea of creating an organization to include the new women military pilots just beginning to enter active duty and flight school. WASP Sara Hayden received word that the active duty rated women were starting an organization and wrote a letter to Captain Barb Brume on Nov. 3, 1981. After much communication and personal visits, in October 1982, 86 active duty women pilots and navigators and 126 WASP became the first charter members of WMPA. An election was held and on Dec. 7, 1982 and the first active duty elected officers were Capt. Barbara Brumme, President, Captain Karen Daneu, Vice President, Captain Julie Tizard, Secretary, and 1Lt. Margie (Clark) Varuska, Treasurer. Board Members were WASP Lois Auchterlonie, WAFS Adela Scharr and WASP Sara Hayden. This was the beginning of an organization of women aviators created in 1982 from two groups, the WASP and new women military pilots and navigators from the 1970’s, which has now lasted 33 years. On November 15, 1988 the name was officially changed to the Women Military Aviators, Inc. to specifically include female aircrew.

32 YEARS. 4,598 FLIGHT HOURS. 1,377 IN COMBAT. 9 AIRCRAFT. 🇺🇸✈️Lt. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss has retired after a remarkab...
09/08/2026

32 YEARS. 4,598 FLIGHT HOURS. 1,377 IN COMBAT. 9 AIRCRAFT. 🇺🇸✈️

Lt. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss has retired after a remarkable 32 year Air Force career.

A 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. She went to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base. She went on to earn master’s degrees from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the National Defense Intelligence College, and the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.

She flew nine different Air Force aircraft, including the EC 130, RQ 1 Predator, C-130, C-17, C-37 and C-32.

She commanded the 15th Airlift Squadron, 62nd Airlift Wing, 89th Airlift Wing and 618th Air Operations Center. She also served as vice commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Afghanistan and later as Deputy Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command.

In 2026, she stepped in as interim commander of Air Mobility Command, leading the command through real-world operations including Operation Epic Fury and humanitarian relief following the Venezuela earthquake.

On September 3, 2026, after 32 years of service, Lt. Gen. Sonkiss retired.

But perhaps the most fitting ending?

For her final flight, she piloted a C-17 Globemaster III—carrying the American flag that had belonged to her late father.

For the women flying today and the women who will fly tomorrow, that is a legacy worth carrying forward.

Fair winds, Lt. Gen. Sonkiss. ✈️🇺🇸

AviationLeadership RebeccaSonkiss AirForceWomen

The Flight of Jackie Cochran is coming to the West Coast. ✈️Experience the story of one of aviation’s greatest pioneers—...
09/07/2026

The Flight of Jackie Cochran is coming to the West Coast. ✈️

Experience the story of one of aviation’s greatest pioneers—and the woman whose leadership helped pave the way for the WASP and generations of women military aviators.

CORRECTED DATES!!
Vashon is Friday Sept 18th at 6pm
M*F is Saturday Sept 19th at 3pm
San Diego is Friday Sept 25 at 1pm
Palm Springs is Saturday Sept 26 at 1pm

See her story on the big screen.

08/23/2026

Ready for Space but never given the chance.

In the early 1960s, 13 extraordinary female pilots stepped forward to prove they had what it took to go to space.

They endured the same grueling physiological and psychological testing used on America’s first male astronauts, and in some tests, they performed even better.

They were called the Mercury 13.

But despite their talent, courage, and determination, they were never given the opportunity to become NASA astronauts. Their program was cancelled, and their place in the space race was nearly forgotten.

Yet their story didn’t end there.

These women challenged the limits of what women were told they could do and helped pave the way for the generations of female astronauts who followed. (NASA)

🚀 Join the New Mexico Space Center as we honor their story to induct these incredible women into the International Space Hall of Fame.

📅 October 3
⏰ 5:00–9:00 PM
📍 Tay’s Special Event Center
🎟️ $90 per person

Come celebrate the courage, determination, and legacy of the women who dared to reach for the stars even when the world told them they couldn’t.

Their story deserves to be remembered.
Their legacy deserves to be celebrated.

08/15/2026
Happy birthday US Coast Guard!
08/04/2026

Happy birthday US Coast Guard!

08/01/2026

Space Delta 12 welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony July 31 at Schriever Space Force Base.The delta leads the integrated test and evaluation of U.S. Space Force capabilities to

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23 Hamilton Street
East Falmouth, MA
02536

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