Wing women participate in final WASP reunion

  • Published
  • By Capt. Caroline Wellman
  • 445th Airlift Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  Twelve women from the 445th Airlift Wing had the chance recently to be a part of history when they traveled to Irving, Texas, to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first women trained to fly military aircraft for the United States, at the group's last formal group reunion Sept. 25-28. 

"This reunion was different from other WASP reunions," said Tech. Sgt. Julie Meintel, 445th Airlift Wing Historian, who was one of the Airman who went to Irving. "It was more of a tribute to them, because it was their final (formally) organized reunion, from the 'next generation' of women in uniform and female aviators." 

Air Force Reserve Command's Human Resources Development Council worked with the WASP to host the reunion, so female Reservists from around the country were involved in the week's tribute events.
During the reunion, the more than 100 WASP in attendance received a "final flight" by an all-female C-130 Reserve aircrew from the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. 

Another of the week's highlights, Sergeant Meintel said, happened the last night, when a formation of current female Airmen rendered a formal salute to the WASP during the reunion's final dinner. 

"(The WASP) all cheered loudly," she said of the group of women she and other attendees described as "feisty" and "firecrackers." 

Although only a few more than 100 WASP attended the reunion, 300 are still living. During World War II, 1,800 women participated in the program, which was formed in 1942 to fill the need for state-side aviation duties. 

The WASP have officially handed over the management of their organization to Wingtip to Wingtip, who will help the women stay in contact with each other and continue to promote the history of the WASP, said Master Sgt. Rodney Hage, AFRC HRDC Program Manager and AFRC liaison for the reunion. 

The members of the 445th Airlift Wing who attended the ceremony were Staff Sgt. Jaclyn Chappell, 445th Maintenance Squadron; Capt. Jackie Fleming, 89th Airlift Squadron; Master Sgt. Cynthia Holland, 445th Airlift Wing; Staff Sgt. Emily Kennedy, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron; Staff Sgt. Tame Marshall, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Julie Meintel, 445th Airlift Wing Historian; Staff Sgt. Lisa Quinn, 445th Maintenance Operations Flight; 2nd Lt. Shannon Simon, 445th Airlift Wing Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron; Staff Sgt. Leah Smith, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron; Lt. Col. Kathryn Staiger, 445th Airlift Wing; Lt. Col. Linda Stokes-Crow, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Commander; and Staff Sgt. Kira Zyski, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron.