ANG Woman Wing Commander Doesn't See Herself as Pioneer

Special to American Forces Press Service ^ | March 18, 2004 | By Master Sgt. Bob Haskell

[Calpernia]

Air National Guard Col. Linda McTague has gotten pretty good at regarding herself through the eyes of others. She does not see a pioneer for women's achievements when she looks in a mirror. But she realizes that other people consider her to be a role model – a pioneer – for what women can accomplish in this country's military service. And she strives very hard to live up to those expectations, as well as to her own.

McTague is in a good position to take that kind of stock in herself, because she is the first woman to command an Air National Guard wing, and because she is believed to be the first of her gender to have an Air Force fighter squadron under her command, according to records at the Air Force history office.

Specifically, the woman from Battle Creek, Mich., assumed command of the District of Columbia Air National Guard's highly-decorated 113th Wing on Dec. 1. She therefore is eligible to become a brigadier general.

That diverse wing of some 1,050 men and women includes the 121st Fighter Squadron of F-16s that is on alert during the war against terrorism and the 201st Airlift Squadron that flies members of Congress and other dignitaries around the world in a fleet of C-38 and C-40 operational support airplanes.

Here's the catch. McTague is not a fighter pilot. She cut her Air Guard aviation teeth as an operational support airlift pilot beginning in 1988 before climbing the ladder to serve as the 201st's commander for nearly four years beginning in November 1997. She was the first woman to command an Air Guard flying squadron, said Charles Gross, the Air Guard's chief historian.

That, she claimed during a recent interview, is an indication of how much the military culture has changed during the past decade to make it possible for women and members of minorities to reach the level she has attained.

But a pioneer? "I don't personally see myself that way, because I've never felt the pressure to be a pioneer. But if I'm realistic about the comments that I hear from other people, I'd have to say that they do see me that way." McTague said.

"I know this is something unique and something that, perhaps, a lot of people are excited about and interested in, because it may open paths and opportunities for them that they hadn't thought about before, or that they can now do realistically," she added. "It's not just a dream for them now."

McTague said many other women did plenty of pioneering before her, including the civilian Women Air Force Service Pilots, who ferried military airplanes overseas and towed targets and served as instructor pilots during World War II.

She does, however, realize she's in the right place at the right time to benefit from a change in attitudes toward women and toward people who are not fighter pilots that was helped, she said, by the change in the law in 1992 that made it possible for women to fly combat aircraft.

"Ten years ago, the culture was such that if you weren't a fighter pilot, you were not going to be the wing commander," McTague said. "Now, we've had women in traditional male fields for awhile, and our senior leadership has pushed the idea that we need to be a diverse organization, to tap the resources that we have available to us, and to not exclude anybody because of race or gender."

And she does not feel out of place in the commander's office because she is not one of the fighter pilots, even though "we exist as a wing to support the fighter mission," she acknowledged. "I've been given the opportunity to do a lot of jobs in this wing over the years, so I think I was pretty well prepared when I was asked to be the commander.

"I don't think I have to fly the airplane to understand the F-16 mission," said McTague, who has earned her wings as a command pilot while logging more than 5,250 hours in eight kinds of aircraft during her 23 years in uniform. That includes four years as an instructor pilot and Wings of Blue pilot for the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

"I've always relied on the experts, and we have a strong vice commander in Col. Jeff Johnson who does fly the F-16 and knows the missions," McTague added.

Chief Master Sgt. George McCarley predicted that McTague would make an excellent wing commander "because she's level-headed and she listens to her people." McCarley is the 201st squadron's superintendent for aircraft generation, and he worked for McTague from March 1991 until October 1994, when she was the squadron's assistant chief and then chief of maintenance.

"She was an excellent pilot, and she didn't know anything about aircraft maintenance when she came to us," McCarley recalled. "But she listened to us, and she always referred to the book to help her make good decisions."

She also learned to respect and to rely on the enlisted force during her tenure in maintenance, said McTague, who has since served as commander of the 113th Logistics Squadron and Logistics Group. The D.C. Air Guard's enlisted men and women gave her their highest tribute in 2001 by inducting her as an honorary chief master sergeant.

She spent the past two years as the Air Guard advisor to the director of operations at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command at Randolph, Air Force Base, Texas, before returning to the 113th Wing as the commander.

McTague holds a liberal arts degree and a master's degree in adult education from Florida International University, where she received a scholarship to play softball and volleyball. She played volleyball on the Air Force team and at the international level when she was a young officer.

Now she considers herself the Air Guard wing's advocate as well as its coach, whose most important job is preparedness and "to maximize everybody's potential out here" while maintaining its reputation as a team "that will not settle for being less than the best."

Her plan is simple. "I want to be a good listener. I have to be a good student of dealing with people," said McTague. "I want to be polite and respectful. I want to try to find the niche where everybody will fit and contribute."

"I want to give people the opportunity to fulfill their personal goals," said the new wing commander, who has taken advantage of every chance she has been given to fulfill her own.

[Calpernia]

Air National Guard Col. Linda McTague is first woman to command an Air National Guard wing, and she is believed to be the first woman to have an Air Force component fighter squadron under her command.

[Calpernia]

Pro Military News!

Air National Guard Col. Linda McTague has gotten pretty good at regarding herself through the eyes of others. She does not see a pioneer for women's achievements when she looks in a mirror. But she realizes that other people consider her to be a role model – a pioneer – for what women can accomplish in this country's military service. And she strives very hard to live up to those expectations, as well as to her own.

Private Mail to be added to or removed from the GNFI (or Pro-Coalition) ping list.

[Pukin Dog]

"I don't think I have to fly the airplane to understand the F-16 mission,"

I think I am going to be physically sick. Oh-my-God.

[Salgak]

Yes and no. At the Wing Commander level, it's overall mission that counts, just like a CAG at sea. She's got stick time, albiet likely in the KC-135. . . I **THINK** I recognize her, but not sure. . . .

[dasboot]

Peterina Principle, in service to PC. At her level, knowledge about anything significant to the operation is moot. Just sign the documents, Ma'am. She could call out sick for two years and no one would notice she's been gone. (although the airmen would wonder why things have been running so smoothly)

[Servant of the 9]

"I don't think I have to fly the airplane to understand the F-16 mission,"

I think I am going to be physically sick. Oh-my-God.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs does not have to fly the F-16 to understand the mission and command it.
At exactly what rank does one have to have experience in a particular type to command it?
How often does anyone have operational experience in all the types in a composite wing?

So9

[boomop1]

I am glad to have retired in 1980, flew 135's from 1968 to 1977 no gals while I was on flying status. Oh well what's a mutha to do.

[hchutch]

I'm a little uneasy about those comments - but the good news is that the #2 guy has flown the F-16, and be able to give her some advice. But I'm still a little uneasy.

[Poohbah]

By the time you're a senior O-6, in the zone for O-7, you should be able to avoid making really stupid remarks like that.

But...

Let's flip it around.

"I can understand the KC-135 mission, even though I haven't flown the plane."

To my mind...that would be just about as moronic, were uttered by an F-16 pilot commanding the 113th.

But how many folks would even raise an eyebrow?

[TalBlack]

ANG Woman Wing Commander Doesn't See Herself as Pioneer


Indeed, she shouldn't. She doesn't deserve her position. The standards were lowered to allow her to hold it.

The standard was feminized to allow her to survive long enough to "rise" tho it.

She was NOT the next best person in line for the job.

[PLMerite]

A vollyball scholarship. Charming.

No mention of spouse ("partner?") or children.

[Pukin Dog]

Mission planning.

TFR, LANTIRN, SCRAM, FORMATIONS.

Okay, Maam. Are we going in hot with DTOS or CCIP?
Okay fearless leader, the SAMPAD is direct in our egress vector, coming off hot, low on gas. What do we do? Which way do we go, OR WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LAST 600 pounds, lady?!?!?
What is the ROE if my wingie is out of range but painted after I call SPREAD with angles? Okay, big girl. Lead diverted with damage. Target beyond Bingo, unless we fly through it on TFR and hope for the best. Can we go?

The bottom line, even if #2 does all the planing with contingencies, #1 doesn't know if the plan is sound. That sucks. This is bogus beyond belief. This is shit I don't want decided out of a damn manual. This would NOT be happening in the Navy, I guarantee you that. At the very least, they should have picked a WSO who had experience in type. This is nuts. If she keeps her trap shut and makes sure that #2 always has a full cup of coffee then it might work, but I don't like it one bit.

[Servant of the 9]

What do you do when there are two or more very different types in the Wing?

So9

[Magnum44]

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs does not have to fly the F-16 to understand the mission and command it.

Subtle detail, but CJCS does not command combat forces. That is the Unified Area Commanders (formally area CinCs) job. CJCS is not in the operational chain of command.

But your basic point is correct. :)

[Pukin Dog]

Warriors command. No exceptions. If you don't get shot at, you don't command those who do. Like I said, they should have grabbed a back-seater from a StrikeEagle squad before taking this woman. She is NOT qualified to tell Viper squadrons what to do.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Servant of the 9]

Warriors command. No exceptions. If you don't get shot at, you don't command those who do. Like I said, they should have grabbed a back-seater from a StrikeEagle squad before taking this woman. She is NOT qualified to tell Viper squadrons what to do.

Warriors command. No exceptions.
Operationally, I agree, but I don't think that is this case. This is not a Carrier Air Wing. These fighters will get their missions directly from NORAD or if they are activated, directly from theater air.
In this instance the Air Wing is not going to be anything but an administration, maintainance and personel service, otherwise the F-16s wouldn't have been lumped in with a bunch of Gulfstreams and 737s dedicated to hauling legislators.

So9

[blackie]

ANG ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[TankerKC]

Not being a pilot, I'm not sure why this makes you sick...I plead ignorance. Serious ignorance. Somehow, folks never have trouble when a pilot commands a transportation or supply squadron.

[IGOTMINE]

"...where she received a scholarship to play softball and volleyball."

I think she may have "strapped on some ordnance" in her day.

[Pukin Dog]

There is no substitute for experience when it comes to flying and fighting high-performance aircraft. You would not hand a 44Magnum to a 17 year old who's used to shooting quail.

Do you cook? Do you think you are a good cook? Then why don't you take over at a 5 star restaurant tonight. Hell, you've cooked before, and there will be other chefs around. Silly, right? One thing I know, is the degree to which I placed my faith in my commanders was the knowledge that they had been where I had been before me. I wonder how the kids I trained in the Tomcat would feel if I told them before our first hop that I was a TANKER pilot in the real world instead of my years in the Cat. Would you make a hospital administrator Chief of Surgery? How would you like your Special Teams coach calling offensive plays on Sunday? Being a good team player does not make you a leader. I hope this situation is rectified quickly. The fact that she is a woman means nothing to me in this matter. Were she a man, I would feel exactly the same. By the way, I've been driving for 35 years, so I think I'm ready for NASCAR.

[Pukin Dog]

These fighters will get their missions directly from NORAD

Fine. How is she supposed to know who would best lead the section depending on the mission? How is she to know in 2 seconds what ordinance to have loaded for a scramble by weather conditions or time of day or night? Yeah, I know she can ask somebody while she trains for tactical op management, but why should the squadrons have to wait on her when there are people who know this stuff backwards? The fact that she can LISTEN, does not mean she can lead. You don't want on-the-job training at the tip of the spear.

[Servant of the 9]

How is she supposed to know who would best lead the section depending on the mission? How is she to know in 2 seconds what ordinance to have loaded for a scramble by weather conditions or time of day or night? Yeah, I know she can ask somebody while she trains for tactical op management, but why should the squadrons have to wait on her when there are people who know this stuff backwards?

Again, this is not a Carrier Air Wing.
This is an Air National Guard Wing.
It is an administrative command,a convenience.
It is an 8 to 5 job, so most of the time she won't even be on the base.
The Air Wing Commander will be lucky to hear of a mission before they are off the ground.
Missions will go directly to the commander of the 121st Fighter Squadron from NORAD and he will run them.

[Pukin Dog]

So, demote her to O-2, give her a desk and tell her to shutup and get out of the way. Don't make her the leader. But in reality, don't think a Wing Commander is not going to be the first to hear about a mission. The first readiness inquiry will go to her and SHE will call the squad CO. Unless the Guard has forgotten everything about protocol, you are wrong.

[Servant of the 9]

Why do I think they will never find a fighter jock who is enough of an ass kisser to succesfully command those Congressional Junket Aircraft?

So9

[TankerKC]

I think So9 has answered much of this. She is the Wing Commander. The Wing CC of a wing with OSA and fighters (which is very rare). I suppose you could ask the same questions regarding the Wing CC supporting his OSA squadron if he were a fighter pilot. Remember, too, that the Wing CC also is “over” all squadrons…Logistics, Security, Communications. She probably doesn’t have any first hand experience setting up and maintaining a local area network either, but she still is over the Comm Squadron commander.

I get the point of all of your questions, but I think they are poor analogies. No doubt, there are not many situations that are analogous to commanding a wing or squadron. But, I think this would be a better question: Could I be the CEO of Greyhound if I’ve never driven a bus?

The truth about this is that the folks that will lead and make the decisions will be the Ops Group CC, Ops Plans, Squadron CC, Squadron Ops Officer, Flight Commander, and Flight Leads.

[Rokke]

The Air National Guard Wing in question spent the last war flying from an undisclosed location performing a classified mission in an extremely hostile territory. They took no loses but inflicted a lot of very important damage. Not exactly an 8 to 5 job.
Their (and every other) Wing Commander is ultimately responsible for ensuring they have the equipment and resources to perform the missions they are tasked. The unique aspect of commanding a combat wing is that the people and equipment you are responsible for are charged with killing people. If an accountant makes an error, somebody gets their pay late. If a young fighter pilot makes an error, he can kill hundreds of people. For that reason (among others) the commander of a fighter wing needs to be INTIMATELY familiar with the pointy end of the wing he commands.