Army OKs women as spec ops aviators

When women first entered AF UPT they were not eligible for the coveted, highly sought fighter assignments as I recall. Therefore, there was little resentment over the fact that they were given safer flying assignments. Crewed transport and cargo assignments mostly.

How is that likely to work in the Army, and in this situation, if anyone knows? Will the women be taking slots that are now highly sought, resulting in the non-female pilots being denied preferred slots?
 
Okie_Pilot said:
Yeah, umm. How much more physically demanding can flying a Blackhawk in the 160th be versus an ordinary Blackhawk group?

I understand the super duper cool top secret part of it, but....... What else?
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Flying is one part of the job. What happens when the flight comes to an unexpected end? That's where the difference lies, with regards to conventional vs. SOF aviation.
 
Flymh47 said:
That's just the initial assessment. If you are a pilot/crewmember, there are additional requirements/schools once you are in the unit. Some are easy and some are not, so even though you may assess, some still find that it's not for them. Time will tell.
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True. But that's not exclusive to pilots/crewmembers, nor is it exclusive to male/female.

My guess would be the result would be if you can't complete/maintain the screening and requirements, you can't be there - just like it already is for males AND females.

That being the case, my response was directed more at the "if you knew ANYTHING...you would know better than to ask" statement. Because well, I really don't see how adding jobs to the list changes anything that isn't already being done...
 
Ian J said:
Well, I thought I knew some things about the 160th. Used to fly out of the same field with them, have friends with them, etc. I guess I'm not aware of the physical requirements the 160th does that women cannot. What are they?
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Not requirements so much as expectations. Like moving 120 lb ammo cans by yourself. Of course it should be a 2 "person" lift, but you don't always have time to go look for help, so guess what? You move all 10 by yourself because you are short on time and have a mission.
 
TripSix said:
True. But that's not exclusive to pilots/crewmembers, nor is it exclusive to male/female.

My guess would be the result would be if you can't complete/maintain the screening and requirements, you can't be there - just like it already is for males AND females.
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Good point except as I stated, the "standards" won't remain. they will need to be changed in order to accomodate the addition; just as they have in numerous other situations just like this.

TripSix said:
That being the case, my response was directed more at the "if you knew ANYTHING...you would know better than to ask" statement. Because well, I really don't see how adding jobs to the list changes anything that isn't already being done...
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I think you make this comment out of a lack of understanding of SOF operations.

Screaming_Emu said:
Seriously? I bet most women aviators in the military could beat your ass.
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I'll take this bet! Again, a lack of understanding.

Flymh47 said:
Flying is one part of the job. What happens when the flight comes to an unexpected end? That's where the difference lies, with regards to conventional vs. SOF aviation.
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This is it! Moving the controls is the easiest part of this entire equation. The majority of SOF operations don't include the physical use of an aircraft.

Ian J, PM sent to I can follow up my comment without the masses jumping on board with lame threats and comments
 
jtrain609 said:
Dude give it up, you just got completely schooled.

But thankfully, there are some dudes on the internet that can set you straight.

You should feel fortunate to have this opportunity, soldier!
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Please don't get me wrong - I don't think it was like that between dustoff17 and I. He's a former Army Aviator - he's got cred. Probably more than I do. If there's something that should prevent women from flying in the 160th that I don't know about I'd be happy to listen.
 
Flymh47 said:
Flying is one part of the job. What happens when the flight comes to an unexpected end? That's where the difference lies, with regards to conventional vs. SOF aviation.
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I'm curious what you think the difference is between actions following an unexpected end of a conventional flight vs. a 160th?

Flymh47 said:
Not requirements so much as expectations. Like moving 120 lb ammo cans by yourself. Of course it should be a 2 "person" lift, but you don't always have time to go look for help, so guess what? You move all 10 by yourself because you are short on time and have a mission.
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Are you in the 160th?
 
jtrain609 said:
Dude give it up, you just got completely schooled.

But thankfully, there are some dudes on the internet that can set you straight.

You should feel fortunate to have this opportunity, soldier!
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Definitely NOT meant as "schooling". Mine was a "from the hip" comment. If Ian J took it that way, I apologize....
 
It's 2013 everyone. Why are we having the same argument that has already been had every time a new position becomes available for women? The same argument that has been had for blacks before that? And gays. Isn't everyone tired of hearing it by now? You can't generalize a group of people by one characteristic.
 
Ian J said:
I'm curious what you think the difference is between actions following an unexpected end of a conventional flight vs. a 160th?

I prefer not to discuss it on an open forum. I will say that there are very different schools of thought with regard to contingencies.

Are you in the 160th?
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I am.
 
Flymh47 said:
I am.
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Understood - so within the realm of OPSEC, are you under the belief women can't do your job?

On another note, former -47 guy myself - how do you like the MH? Are you a pilot or a crew-member?
 
Ian J said:
Understood - so within the realm of OPSEC, are you under the belief women can't do your job?

On another note, former -47 guy myself - how do you like the MH? Are you a pilot or a crew-member?
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Would never say that a female could not do my job, as that would just open the floodgates, and I am certain there are some who could do much better than I!

And I am a NRCM, and love the capability of the MH.

What unit did you fly -47's with? I'm sure we know some of the same folks.

MikeD - 11 years
 
Flymh47 said:
Would never say that a female could not do my job, as that would just open the floodgates, and I am certain there are some who could do much better than I!

And I am a NRCM, and love the capability of the MH.

What unit did you fly -47's with? I'm sure we know some of the same folks.

MikeD - 11 years
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Flew with A/7-101 from 2001-2005.
 
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