Women’s Aviation Hall of Fame Inducts Air Force Pilot

[NYVet]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49317



SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2008 – In the months since her last flight in the No. 3 jet for the Air Force’s Thunderbirds, Maj. Nicole Malachowski has had a hard time attaching perspective to being the first woman to fly on a service-level U.S. military flight demonstration team.

But at the San Diego Air and Space Museum on March 14, the major said, she was blindsided by an emotional moment that placed her achievements into focus.

The visit to the museum was part of the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference held here March 12 through 15. The conference, attended by more than 3,200 people, included an exhibit hall, speeches by aviation legends and professional development classes. It ended with Malachowski’s induction into the Women in Aviation International's Pioneer Hall of Fame, along with Nancy Love, Geraldine Mock, Margaret Ringenberg and the women's section of the Air Transport Auxiliary.

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The major said one of the highlights for her in the conference was interacting with members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, which was an organization essential in freeing up male pilots for combat service and duties in World War II. The women would transport aircraft throughout the U.S. and Canada. They also assisted in training pilots. Thirty-eight women died while performing these duties.

"We have to honor the accomplishments and courage of the Women Airforce Service Pilots," Malachowski said. "People think it is great that these women were flying fighter aircraft 60 years ago. It is not remarkable because they were women. It is remarkable because they were there in defense of the free world and helped bring our country and allies to victory. I know I had the Thunderbirds experience and I'm standing here today in this wonderful uniform because of the contributions and sacrifices of people like them."