Andrea Lewis (pilot)

Last updated

Andrea Lewis is the first African American female pilot of the Georgia Air National Guard. [1] [2]

Lewis first joined the Air Force as a reservist in 2010. [1] In 2014, she was accepted into the 116th Air Control Wing. [1] She is a E-8C pilot. [3]

On March 5, 2021, Lewis was honored at the "Women in the Air Force" exhibit dedicated to showcasing the history of women and their contributions in the U.S. Air Force. [3] [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS</span> Airborne ground surveillance aircraft based on Boeing 707 airframe

The Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) airborne ground surveillance, battle management and command and control aircraft. It tracks ground vehicles and some aircraft, collects imagery, and relays tactical pictures to ground and air theater commanders. The aircraft was operated by both active duty USAF and Air National Guard units and also carried specially trained U.S. Army personnel as additional flight crew until its retirement in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bessie Coleman</span> American aviator (1892–1926)

Bessie Coleman was an early American civil aviator. She was the first African-American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot license, and is the earliest known Black person to earn an international pilot's license. She earned her license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale on June 15, 1921.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Harkness Love</span> American aviator

Nancy Harkness Love, born Hannah Lincoln Harkness, was an American pilot and airplane commander during World War II. She earned her pilot's license at age 16. She worked as a test pilot and air racer in the 1930s. During World War II she convinced Colonel William H. Tunner of the U.S. Army Air Forces to look to set up a group of female pilots to ferry aircraft from factories to air bases. This proposal was eventually approved as the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. Love commanded this unit and later all ferrying operations in the newly formed Women Airforce Service Pilots. She was awarded the Air Medal for her work during the war and was appointed lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force Reserve in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women Airforce Service Pilots</span> U.S. Army Air Corps female auxiliary pilots

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a civilian women pilots' organization, whose members were United States federal civil service employees. Members of WASP became trained pilots who tested aircraft, ferried aircraft and trained other pilots. Their purpose was to free male pilots for combat roles during World War II. Despite various members of the armed forces being involved in the creation of the program, the WASP and its members had no military standing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">116th Air Control Wing</span> Military unit

The 116th Air Control Wing is a Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard/United States Air Force, stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. If activated for federal service, the wing is gained by Air Combat Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter pilot</span> Military combat aviator

A fighter pilot or combat pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting. A fighter pilot with at least five air-to-air kills becomes known as an ace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Georgia Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Georgia, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force, and along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in warfare and the military (2000–present)</span> Aspect of womens history

This article is about women in warfare and the military (2000–present) throughout the world outside the United States. For women in warfare and the military in the United States since 2000, please see: Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2000–2010 and Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2011–present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron</span> Military unit

The 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron is a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard 116th Air Control Wing located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The 128th is equipped with the E-8C Joint STARS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in the military by country</span>

The recent history of changes in women's roles includes having women in the military. Every country in the world permits the participation of women in the military, in one form or another. In 2018, only two countries conscripted women and men on the same formal conditions: Norway and Sweden. A few other countries have laws conscripting women into their armed forces, however with some difference such as service exemptions, length of service, and more. Some countries do not have conscription, but men and women may serve on a voluntary basis under equal conditions. Alenka Ermenc was the first female head of armed forces in any of the NATO member states, having served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces between 2018 and 2020.

Janet Harmon Waterford Bragg was an American amateur aviator. In 1942, she was the first African-American woman to hold a commercial pilot license. She is a 2022 inductee to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willa Brown</span> American aviator, educator, activist (1906–1992)

Willa Beatrice Brown was an American aviator, lobbyist, teacher, and civil rights activist. She was the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license in the United States, the first African American woman to run for the United States Congress, first African American officer in the Civil Air Patrol, and first woman in the U.S. to have both a pilot's license and an aircraft mechanic's license.

This article lists events involving women in warfare and the military in the United States from 2000 until 2010. For 2011 onward, please see Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2011–present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in aviation</span> Role of women aviators in history

Women have been involved in aviation from the beginnings of both lighter-than air travel and as airplanes, helicopters and space travel were developed. Women pilots were also formerly called "aviatrices". Women have been flying powered aircraft since 1908; prior to 1970, however, most were restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry. Aviation also allowed women to "travel alone on unprecedented journeys". Women who have been successful in various aviation fields have served as mentors to younger women, helping them along in their careers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2011–present</span>

This article lists events involving Women in warfare and the military in the United States since 2011. For the previous decade, see Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2000–2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">116th Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 116th Operations Group is a Georgia Air National Guard unit assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing. The unit is stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The 116th Group controls all operational Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint STARS aircraft of the 116th Air Control Wing. It was activated in 1992, when the Air Force implemented the Objective Wing organization, and was successively equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and the Rockwell B-1 Lancer before converting to the E-8C in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of women in aviation</span>

This is a timeline of women in aviation which describes many of the firsts and achievements of women as pilots and other roles in aviation. Women who are part of this list have piloted vehicles, including hot-air balloons, gliders, airplanes, dirigibles and helicopters. Some women have been instrumental in support roles. Others have made a name for themselves as parachutists and other forms of flight-related activities. This list encompasses women's achievements from around the globe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carol A. Timmons</span> United States Air Force general (1958–2020)

Major General Carol A. Timmons was an American military officer who served as Adjutant General of Delaware from February 1, 2017, until her retirement on March 2, 2019. She was also the first female general in Delaware National Guard history.

David Ellsworth Harris was an American commercial airline pilot. Harris was the first African-American commercial pilot and the first to achieve the rank of captain for a major American commercial airline.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rempfer, Kyle (February 7, 2019). "Georgia Air National Guard prepares to deploy its first black female pilot". Air Force Times. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  2. "E-8C JSTARS all-African American flight crew makes history". Edwards Air Force Base. February 22, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Photos". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  4. "Women in the Air Force Exhibit Opening". www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. Retrieved October 28, 2021.