Estrella WarBirds Museum

W.A.S.P.

The Women Air Force Service Pilots were employed to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Force during the days of pre-World War II.

Although the United States had not yet entered the war, it was apparent to many by 1940-41 that war was inevitable. Famed pilot Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran went to England to volunteer and fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). The American women who flew in the ATA were the first American women to fly military aircraft. The motivation was to free up male pilots for combat service duties, while the female pilots transported military aircraft from factories to military bases, and towed drones/aerial targets. The women flew the Royal Air Force's front-line aircraft - Spitfires, Typhoons, Hudson's, Mitchell's, Blenheims, Oxfords, Walruses, and Sea Otters - in a non-combat role but in combat-like conditions. Most of the women served the war in the ATA. In fact there were only three members of the ATA that made it back to the US to participate in the WASP program.

In the summer of 1941, Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran and test pilot Nancy Harkness Love, both submitted proposals to the Army Air Force after the outbreak of World War II in Europe. Initially, Genery Henry "Hap" Arnold, commander of the USAAF, turned down both proposals. After some unsubtle lobbying by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, General Arnold promised command of any such effort to Jackie Cochran should such a force be needed in the future.

With the sudden realization of war realities by mid-summer 1942, General Arnold was willing to consider the prior proposals seriously. One of Jackie Cochran's proposals was to use women as civilian instructor pilots. ATC founder and commander General William Tunner pre-emptied General Arnold and had tens of women ferrying planes from factory to airfields as independent contractors. The WASPs were officially formed in July of 1943.

The WASP´s were a unique corps of women pilots, each already possessing a pilot's license and dedicated to helping their country. They were trained to fly "the army way" by the US Army Air Force at Avenger Field, in Sweetwater, TX. After completing months of military flight training, 1,078 of them earned their wings and became WASPs, the first women in history to fly military aircraft. They flew more than 60 million miles from aircraft factories to point of embarkation and to military bases. They towed targets for live anti-aircraft artillery practice, simulated strafing missions, and transported cargo.

Almost every type of military aircraft ever flown by the USAAF during World War II, including the very early American jet aircraft were flown by WASPs. Between September 1942 and December 1944, The WASP delivered 12,260 aircraft of 78 different types. Over 50% of the ferrying combat aircraft was carried out by the WASP under leadership of Nancy Love.

Thirty-eight WASP fliers lost their lives while serving their country during the war. Because they were not considered to be actual military under the existing guidelines, a fallen WASP was sent home at the expense of her family or through donations by her fellow WASP without any traditionally military honors or not of her heroism. The WASP were considered civil service employees and did not receive military benefits, unlike their male counterparts. In June 1944, a bill in the US House of Representatives to give the WASP military status was narrowly defeated after civilian male pilots lobbied against the idea. AS a result, General Arnold ordered that the WASP be disbanded by December 20, 1944.

Read more about WASPs on the web here.