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Air Force Featured Stories

1st HS promotes diversity in aviation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Spencer Slocum
  • 316th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) --  

Diversity continues to be a priority in the Air Force. Leadership at the highest levels have made changes within the force to become more inclusive and diverse to increase strength and military capabilities.

The 1st Helicopter Squadron hosted a “We Fly, Too” event at Howard University, April 30.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., (right) speaks with Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University, at Cramton Auditorium, Washington D.C., April 30, 2022. During the interview, Brown spoke about diversity in the Air Force and aviation, and how the Air Force is making progress towards becoming a more diverse force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Slocum)

Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, Howard University president speaks with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., at Cramton Auditorium, Washington, D.C., April 30, 2022. During the interview, Brown spoke about diversity in the Air Force and aviation, and how the Air Force is making progress towards becoming a more diverse force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Slocum)
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Members from the Civil Air Patrol pose for a photo with 1st Lt. Dontae Bell, 1st Helicopter Squadron pilot, (center) at Greene Stadium, Washington D.C., April 30, 2022. The 1st HS hosted the “We Fly, Too” event to promote diversity in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Slocum)

Members from the Civil Air Patrol pose for a photo with 1st Lt. Dontae Bell, 1st Helicopter Squadron pilot, at Greene Stadium, Washington, D.C., April 30, 2022. The 1st HS hosted the “We Fly, Too” event to promote diversity in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Slocum)
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Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety, (left) speaks about her experience as a woman in aviation at Cramton Auditorium, Washington D.C., April 30, 2022. After speaking about why they joined aviation-related career fields, the panel members answered questions from the audience about obstacles they had to overcome as women in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Slocum)

Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt speaks about her experience as a woman in aviation at Cramton Auditorium, Washington, D.C., April 30, 2022. After speaking about why they joined aviation-related career fields, the panel members answered questions from the audience about obstacles they had to overcome as women in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Slocum)
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The event included multiple panels on diversity, a fireside chat with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and President of Howard University Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, and a meet and greet with pilots from the 1st HS.

During each panel, members were asked questions regarding current active-duty pilots, women in aviation, and diversity and the future of aviation.

“There are so many opportunities to open doors, not only for yourself, but for others,” Brown said. “You have to challenge the status quo; you have to be willing to push.”