"Flying their war into history: Women Airforce service pilots"

Women in the early 1940s until the end of the war were a large part in the success of the U.S. army. Although few women actually fought they were essential to the Allies victory not only in the home front but also in the air force. The women did not fight enemies in these fighter planes, however they towed targets, engineered test flights, utility flew, and often were considered ferry pilots. In total, 1,074 women became Women Air Force Service Pilots - WASPs. Although these women never fought in combat their role as ferry pilots greatly altered the dynamics of the war. These women were not flying small planes. The variety of the planes they flew ranged from: P-51s, P-17s, P-38s, and P-47s. They also flew AT-6s, B-17s, and even B-26s. These women also acted as production testers. They would receive the manual for a certain new plane read over this booklet and then immediately went to work. The group that these courageous women worked for was called the AAF (Army Air Force). Many of these women flew thousands and thousands of hours for their country. Other WASPs were used as utility pilots who relocated pieces of equipment and flew other soldiers where they were needed. One of the oddest reasons to incorporate women in the AAF was to convince men that these new planes were safe, seeing that women could fly them. These women were revolutionary for their time and changed the way WWII will be remembered forever. These aren't the only revolutionary women in the United States' history. During WWI women were also asked to step up and help their nation. They helped in a far different way then the WASPs did. The way women during WWI helped was by working in jobs men usually occupied. By doing this the American economy did not diminish and as hard as it may seem regular life somewhat carried on. Although what the women did in the two world wars were somewhat different their goals were the same. These women realized that their nation was in need and that they could help.