Allfemale bomb squad makes history:
A B1 taxied on the flight line at Ellsworth Air Force Base, preparing to takeoff. What made this flight unique was not the mission – to train and hone the Airmen’s skills while they flew in the local area. What made this March 21 flight remarkable was that the entire aircrew was comprised of female aviators from the 34th Bomb Squadron.
The allfemale crew consisted of two B1 pilots, Capts. Lillian Pryor and Lauren Olme, and two weapon systems officers, Capt. Danielle Zidack and 1st Lt. Kimberly Auton. Capt. Lacey Koelling, the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge, also supported the bomber’s preflight maintenance.
BOX ELDER, SD (KOTA) What better way to celebrate women's history month than with women making history? The 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, South Dakota, sent off an allfemale mission. It was the first of its kind for the 34th bomb squadron.
B1 weapons systems officer, Captain Danielle Zidack, exclaimed, “It means everything to me to be in the air with these four courageous women. I just can't think of anything better to do and just that this is my job. It's amazing.”
Pretty much the entire crew had similar thoughts.
B1 pilot, Captain Lillian Pryor, said, “Makes me really excited. I mean I think there are a growing number of women in the Air Force and I was motivated to come in the Air Force by a women who paved the way before me and I hope we are turning around and doing the same thing for young women in the next generations.”
Captain Lacey Koelling, an aircraft maintenance unit officer, has been in her position for almost seven years and has never seen an allfemale crew.
“We are going to have all female maintainers launching as well and an allfemale crew, it's pretty exciting," stated Koelling.
But Zidack said this day wouldn't be possible without the women who inspired them.
"I just think with this happening today, it's important to mention the women who came before us paving the way such as the wasp women flying in World War II. Without them, I wouldn't be here today and it's because of those courageous women that have allowed me to do the job that I do today and feel confident doing it," explained Zidack.
March is women’s history month and this training mission was a first for the 34th bomb squadron. According to the crew, it was the first time in the squadron's history an allwoman crew flew a mission.
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