WOW conference attendees spend time with 445th AW reservists

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  More than 60 young women plus their mentors attending the Sixth Annual Wings of Women Conference spent the afternoon of Oct. 5, 2012, at the 445th Airlift Wing, listening to various guest speakers and visiting with the men and women of the wing.

The WOW conference, sponsored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, is a day-long program for young girls ages 13-17. The event begins at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and allows the attendees to meet with their mentors and explore various areas of the museum, to include visiting the aircraft the World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) flew. The group continues their day with educational activities at the 445th in the afternoon.

WOW's aim is to stir girls' interest in their futures, introduce them to career opportunities, resources that are available, and demonstrate that it is possible to achieve success in aviation, and in life. The WOW Conference is held in conjunction with the NAHF annual Enshrinement dinner and ceremony.

While at the 445th, the young ladies enjoyed listening to memories shared by WASP Nadine Nagle and by Rhea Woltman, one of the 13 women pilots known as the First Lady Astronaut Trainees (later known as the Mercury 13) that were selected to undergo the same testing program as the Mercury astronauts. They also toured one of the wing's C-17 Globemaster III with the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron on board performing a demonstration of their capabilities. Before heading out to the flightline for the tour, the 445th Services Sustainment Flight reservists provided lunch for the girls and their mentors.

"I thought the WOW Conference was another great success. The girls had an opportunity to be mentored by women from the 88th Air Base Wing, the 445th and the local community. The mentors had as much fun as the girls did," said Col. Linda Stokes-Crowe, 445th AES commander.