Trailblazer: Martha McSally, Jet Fighter Pilot

The brave women of the World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) broke ground for today's women who joined the military and fly the skies for the USA. To learn more about these pioneer pilots in service to our country, click here for more information about the WASP team.

The reproduction of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the WASP decorates the side of the float. The 38 stars around the medal salute the 38 WASP who lost their lives in service to their country.

Martha McSally, Colonel (retired) in the United States Air Force (USAF), flew the A-10 Warthog attack plane in the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan in the mid-1990s.  She was the first American woman to fly in combat since the 1991 lifting of the prohibition of women in combat.  Col. McSally is also the first woman to command a USAF fighter squadron. 

Col. McSally with an A-10 Thunderbolt II jet

Today Martha McSally is a candidate for representative for the state of Arizona in the U.S. congress. 

Have you considered a career in flying planes? Would you want to join the military in order to fly a fighter jet?  Please leave your comment below. I love to hear from you.