Foundation Honors Women in the Air Force History
2023 marked a significant year for women across the United States Armed Forces as the year celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. The act was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman and allowed women, for the first time in history, to serve as regular members of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. While the act opened the opportunity for women to serve as regular members of the Armed Forces, they were only allowed to serve in limited roles. To support these efforts the United States Air Force (USAF) established the Women in the Air Force (WAF) program. The WAF made tremendous strides for women as it had helped lay the necessary groundwork needed for women to achieve equal opportunities as men in the USAF. The program was dissolved more than 25 years later in 1976 when women were accepted into the USAF on an equal bases as their male counterparts.
A few years later, the Women in the Air Force organization was formed as an opportunity to reconnect women who have previously served in the WAF to women who are currently serving. The organization hosted their 35th Annual Reunion in San Antonio from October 23 – October 28, 2023. On Thursday, October 26th Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Lackland hosted members of the WAF and the Society of Air Force Nurses for a luncheon at the Gateway Club along with the 502nd Air Base Wing, 37th Training Wing and the Airman Heritage Foundation (AHF). The luncheon included a living history presentation by the AHF that showcased uniforms worn by WAF over the past 75 years and a keynote speech by the 33rd U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas, Major General Susan L. Pamerleau (USAF, Ret.).
AHF is proud to have partnered on such a successful event. Thank you to Dave Schulz, AHF Outreach Manager, to the team at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum, to the 502nd Air Base Wing, and 37th Training Wing for coming together for this event. We look forward to continuing our work together to preserve and honor the important history of WAF!
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- Commemorative cake for the event created by Lucy’s Cakes in San Antonio.
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- Guests register for the WAF Association luncheon at the Gateway Club on JBSA-Lackland.
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- An all-female color guard was present at the WAF Association luncheon.
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- Guest table of women who were each a part of the WAF program.
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- Members of the WAF Association take photos with women currently enlisted in the Air Force.
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- AHF leadership at the WAF luncheon. Photo includes (L-R): Danny Sanchez, Vice President; Joan Lopez, Secretary; Al Herring, President.
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- Keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau takes a photo with luncheon guests.
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- Brig Gen Russell Driggers, representing JBSA & 502 ABW/CC, provides opening remarks during the WAF Association luncheon.
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- Volunteers showcase uniforms from 75 years of Women in the Air Force.
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- Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau speaks during her keynote presentation at the WAF luncheon.
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- Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau accepts a token of appreciation AHF President, Al Herring.
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- Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau receives a token of gratitude from the President of the AHF, Al Herring. Photo by Robin Cresswell.
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- Event volunteer, SSgt Angela Bryza, displays early WAF khaki Summer Service uniform during the living history presentation of the luncheon.
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- Volunteer, A1C Lunceford, attired in a 1950’s WAF utility uniform walks the runway during the WAF luncheon.
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- WAF luncheon volunteer, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Neema Hardeman, wearing the Vietnam era jungle fatigues of Flight Nurse Maj. Lola Ball.
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- Volunteers pose in uniforms worn by Women in the Air Force over the past 75 years.Photo by Robin Cresswell
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- CMSgt Gilda Alexander, representing JBSA & 502 ABW/CCC, provides remarks following the living history presentation wearing the WAF Blue-and-White pinstripe Summer Service uniform of the mid-60’s-late 70’s.
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- Lt. Col. (ret.) Sean Habina, President of the WAF Association, cuts the ceremonial cake with A1C Lunceford, the youngest enlisted woman in the room.
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- Luncheon guests talk with Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau.
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- A moment of inspiration as volunteers talk with Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau.
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- A moment of inspiration as volunteers talk with Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau.
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- Col. Nancy Johnson attired in a 70’s fatigue set, speaks with WAF veteran TSgt (ret.) Sunny Wirth.
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- Those boots are no joke! Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerlau showcases her U.S. Marshals boots.
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- Airman Heritage Foundation leadership take a photo with Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau following the luncheon.
