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Women in test history

  • Published
  • By Jeannine M. Geiger
  • Air Force Test Center History Office

In today’s uncertain times, it is even more important to celebrate all aspects of human history. Women’s history month plays an important part in the highlighting achievements that may have been buried throughout history. The United States has just entered its second century of promoting the advancement and achievements of women, making this time period perhaps more important than others.

The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women's History Month in 2021 captures the spirit of these challenging times. Since many of the women's suffrage centennial celebrations originally scheduled for 2020 were curtailed, the National Women's History Alliance is extending the annual theme for 2021 to "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.”

Just as they have in other fields, women pioneers have played a major role in the aerospace field, particularly at Edwards Air Force Base, California. While women have always supported and participated in military campaigns, either in support roles or, more rarely, in combat, American women participated in the Army Air Corps, the United States Air Force today, and recorded significant achievements during the lead-up to World War II. The first women stationed at Edwards arrived at the Muroc Bombing and Gunnery range in 1944 as part of the Women’s Army Corps. Women would not arrive at Edwards in official test roles until the mid-1970s.  These early female Testers laid the foundation for their successors, who continue to make history today.

In 1944, Ann Gilpin Baumgartner, as Women’s Air Service Pilot assigned to the Flight Test Division, flew a YP-59A, becoming the first woman to fly a jet aircraft.

In 1953, Jacqueline Cochran made two supersonic dives in a Canadian-built F-86 Sabre becoming the first woman to exceed the speed of sound.  Later the same day, she flew the same plane over Edwards Air Force Base low-level course setting a new speed record 652.337 miles per hour.  A chase plane piloted by then Maj. Charles Yeager accompanied her and she received one of her five Harmon Aviatrix Trophies for the effort (Yeager won the Aviator trophy that year).  At her death in 1980, Cochran held more speed, distance, and altitude records than any other pilot, which remains true today.

In 1975, Capt. Jane L. Holley, a student in Test Pilot School class 74B, became the first woman to graduate from the training as an engineer.

In 1990, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration selected Maj. Eileen Collins (a graduate of TPS Class 89B) as a Space Shuttle pilot candidate.  Collins was the first woman selected for this program.

In 1993, Lt. Col. Susan J. Helms became the first female military astronaut to enter space when Space Shuttle Endeavor launched on a 5-day mission.

In 2010, Col. Dawn M. Dunlop accepted command of the 412th Test Wing. The first woman to command the test wing, she had also been the first woman to fly an F-22 Raptor when she flew F-22 number 4006 here at Edwards.

The trials and tribulations of early women pioneers need to be remembered and not forgotten. These Airmen risked all that they had for this cause. They impacted their local communities, their nation and their world. 

Slide show

Women in test history

  • Published
  • By Jeannine M. Geiger
  • Air Force Test Center History Office

In today’s uncertain times, it is even more important to celebrate all aspects of human history. Women’s history month plays an important part in the highlighting achievements that may have been buried throughout history. The United States has just entered its second century of promoting the advancement and achievements of women, making this time period perhaps more important than others.

The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women's History Month in 2021 captures the spirit of these challenging times. Since many of the women's suffrage centennial celebrations originally scheduled for 2020 were curtailed, the National Women's History Alliance is extending the annual theme for 2021 to "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.”

Just as they have in other fields, women pioneers have played a major role in the aerospace field, particularly at Edwards Air Force Base, California. While women have always supported and participated in military campaigns, either in support roles or, more rarely, in combat, American women participated in the Army Air Corps, the United States Air Force today, and recorded significant achievements during the lead-up to World War II. The first women stationed at Edwards arrived at the Muroc Bombing and Gunnery range in 1944 as part of the Women’s Army Corps. Women would not arrive at Edwards in official test roles until the mid-1970s.  These early female Testers laid the foundation for their successors, who continue to make history today.

In 1944, Ann Gilpin Baumgartner, as Women’s Air Service Pilot assigned to the Flight Test Division, flew a YP-59A, becoming the first woman to fly a jet aircraft.

In 1953, Jacqueline Cochran made two supersonic dives in a Canadian-built F-86 Sabre becoming the first woman to exceed the speed of sound.  Later the same day, she flew the same plane over Edwards Air Force Base low-level course setting a new speed record 652.337 miles per hour.  A chase plane piloted by then Maj. Charles Yeager accompanied her and she received one of her five Harmon Aviatrix Trophies for the effort (Yeager won the Aviator trophy that year).  At her death in 1980, Cochran held more speed, distance, and altitude records than any other pilot, which remains true today.

In 1975, Capt. Jane L. Holley, a student in Test Pilot School class 74B, became the first woman to graduate from the training as an engineer.

In 1990, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration selected Maj. Eileen Collins (a graduate of TPS Class 89B) as a Space Shuttle pilot candidate.  Collins was the first woman selected for this program.

In 1993, Lt. Col. Susan J. Helms became the first female military astronaut to enter space when Space Shuttle Endeavor launched on a 5-day mission.

In 2010, Col. Dawn M. Dunlop accepted command of the 412th Test Wing. The first woman to command the test wing, she had also been the first woman to fly an F-22 Raptor when she flew F-22 number 4006 here at Edwards.

The trials and tribulations of early women pioneers need to be remembered and not forgotten. These Airmen risked all that they had for this cause. They impacted their local communities, their nation and their world. 

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.