Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC— This weekend, Rep. Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement on the 80th anniversary of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) at the National WASP WWII Museum.

“It is my honor to join the National WASP WWII Museum in recognizing and celebrating the 80th anniversary of America's First Women Air Force Service Pilots. When the forces of fascism and totalitarianism were upending the entire global order, it took every ounce of our nation's measure to win World War II, and the Women's Air Force Service Pilots were a vital part of that effort. By flying wingtip to wingtip with their male counterparts, they were every bit as vital to the war effort and, ultimately, our victory,” said Rep. Arrington.

Background:

• Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, 28 female pilots volunteered to form America's first female squadron. From 1942 to 1944, over 1,100 women were trained to fly "the Army way" at Avenger Airfield in West Texas. 
• As the first women to fly American military aircraft, they logged more than 60 million flight hours, flying every plane in the Army's arsenal. They ferried equipment, towed gunnery targets, and flight-tested aircraft, serving at over 120 bases across America so we could win the war abroad.
• The man who championed the WASP was Army Air Forces Commanding General “Hap” Arnold. He was revered by the U.S. Congress, but in June 1944 when he sought to officially designate the WASP as members of the United States military, Congress refused. After a protracted fight, the WASP were granted military status in 1977, thanks to a law signed by President Carter.

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Congressman Jodey Arrington is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the Nineteenth Congressional District of Texas. He serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.