An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Nov. 23, 2021

Women's Initiative Team Awarded

By Senior Airman Kevyn Allen 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Women’s Initiative Team (WIT), was recognized for their achievements with the Department of the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Team Innovation Award at the Pentagon.

Lt. Col. Chandra Flemming, 25th Fighter Squadron directing officer, and Lt. Col. Kathryn Gaetke 7th Air Force division chief were among those recognized by at the Pentagon, with Secretary of the Air Force Mr. Frank Kendal and Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Charles Brown in attendance.

The primary focus of the WIT is the breaking of barriers that affect women’s abilities to serve in the Air Force. Their recent changes include a policy change to AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force. The new hair standards have single-handedly changed the way women can wear their hair while in uniform.

“So these braids, these ponytails, that’s what the WIT did,” said Flemming. “There was a group called Warrior Braids, and they recognized that there were issues for women having their hair in a bun all day, like hair-loss and migraines being caused. It’s also not inclusive of all cultures and hair types.”

The WIT also identified policies preventing female Airmen from becoming pilots without a special waiver. WIT encouraged policy changes to develop the pilot program to more women and give more people a chance to serve their country.

“So right now the minimum height to be a pilot is 5’4, and fifty percent of the female population in the U.S. is 5’4 or shorter,” said Flemming. "It opened the door to half of the female population in the U.S. by having the barrier of a waiver removed.”

In effort to assist female Airmen throughout the Air Force, the WIT exercises their focus on women’s service like Air Combat Command’s “SWORD ATHENA” to identify the major problem areas. With “SWORD ATHENA”, the WIT learn which problems impact the force the most and prioritize solutions based on those needs.

“One win that came out of “SWORD ATHENA” was the authorization of blue tooth enabled breast pumps in secure vaults. This let me continue to work efficiently and continue to breastfeed my baby in the AOC,” said Gaetke.

The WIT’s continued efforts to accelerate change and knock down barriers that stand in the way of women serving to their full potential has earned the team the Department of the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Team Innovation Award.

In a short amount of time, the WIT contributions have been on the cusp of creating major changes within the Air Force. Their future plans include efforts to accelerating diversity and inclusion, thus making the Air Force suitable for all service members.
 

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,185
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
DIU Partners With AUKUS Pillar II for International Prize Challenge
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the first trilateral prize challenge through AUKUS Pillar II— a defense and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (U.S.)— to...

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz Concludes Trip to Japan for Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

Marines, Sailors Participate in Holi Festival and Community Events at Tiger TRIUMPH
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Maxwell Gallahan, center left, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in musical chairs at a community relations event during Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH in Visakhapatnam, India, March 22, 2024. Tiger TRIUMPH is a U.S.-India tri-service amphibious exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and interoperability. Tiger TRIUMPH enables U.S. and Indian Armed Forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to better achieve mutual regional security objectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Robert Nanna)
March 26, 2024 - Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraced India's culture during celebrations, athletic exchanges, and community relations engagements as they participate in Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Minister of National Defence Judith Collins of New Zealand
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 25, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Ryder provided the following readout...

First of its kind deployment of Marine cyber forces to the INDO-PACOM Theater
Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in the cyber operations center at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. MARFORCYBER Marines conduct offensive and defensive cyber operations in support of United States Cyber Command and operate, secure and defend the Marine Corps Enterprise Network. This image is a photo illustration.
March 25, 2024 - Marines assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the inaugural iteration of a new cyber rotational force concept...