Posted on 07/27/2004 2:47:35 AM PDT by Mr Rogers
McSally Takes Command Of Air Combat Squadron
By Lynn Freehill, Arizona Daily Star
The pilot who was the Air Force's first female to fly in combat in 1994 launched into new territory again Monday by becoming the first female commander of an air combat unit.
Lt. Col. Martha McSally, 38, was installed as head of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 354th Fighter Squadron in a 9 a.m. ceremony closed to the public but attended by more than 125 military personnel and families.
Her new position fulfills a longtime dream after 20 years in uniform, McSally said. "Commanding a fighter squadron is what we all aspire to do."
The 354th Squadron, known as the "Bulldogs," has 22 A/OA-10 aircraft and 55 pilots and crew members performing combat, search and rescue and other missions. It has been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, most recently for six months under departing commander Lt. Col. John Horner. Horner is heading to Harvard to further his education.
McSally spoke enthusiastically about leading the unit into war.
"We're the pointy end of the spear," she said. "I understand the marching orders, and we will be prepared to deploy . . . with an aggressive attitude that we will win."
McSally successfully sued the Pentagon three years ago over its requirement that military women serving in Saudi Arabia wear abayas, or traditional black Muslim cloaks, off base. She contended the practice was offensive to her as a Christian.
After the Supreme Court sided with her on the issue, McSally continued to pursue her legal claim that the military was retaliating against her for challenging the policy. After years of praise and promotions, McSally said she was suddenly given poor performance reviews and deemed unfit for a leadership position.
She had vowed to continue her legal battle until the Air Force restored her career prospects. She confirmed Monday that her suit was dropped earlier this year, calling it "no longer an issue."
Col. Steven Ruehl, McSally's immediate boss, said the Air Force Academy and Harvard graduate was highly qualified to command a fighter squadron. She has served as an A-10 flight instructor and director of the Joint Search and Rescue Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ruehl called her commitment "the highest I've ever seen."
"She has gone through some rough times," he said.
He also noted her experience as a "combat-tested warrior" who's logged nearly 100 hours in combat enforcing a no-fly zone over Iraq.
One of McSally's special guests in the audience, Eleanor Gunderson, had waited 60 years for a woman to fill such a position. Gunderson spent a year as a Woman Air Service Pilot, or WASP, during World War II until the unit was disbanded in December 1944.
Gunderson said she would have made her career as an aviator if she'd been allowed. Instead, she became an air traffic controller and spent years watching in frustration as women were barred from flying in the military.
Watching McSally, whom she's known for 10 years, soar so high in the Air Force is gratifying, Gunderson said.
"Words fail me. It's just wonderful," she said. "I'm glad that the girls now are succeeding. Martha's going to help change some attitudes."
When she didn't get her way, she sued. Guess I forgot about how servicemen can sue to change policies they don't like because the judges in the US know ever so much more than field commanders.
She then sues to have her poor judgement not held against her - in effect, suing to be made a Sq Commander!
And then pretends to be well qualified as a squadron CC - someone who has less than 100 hrs combat time. For reference, I got that much time in a 17 day period. After all the fighting in the last few years, she'll have folks with 10 times her combat experience as Captains!
She is well qualified to lead the legal office, but lacks the experience, judgement or leadership skills to lead an angry cat out of a paper sack.
Yeah, it seems that drunk drivers are ok when they're female.
That's the Air Force.
What is the drunk driving reference to?
btt
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