In 1976, the service academies began admitting women. Ariz. By the 1980s, there were enough Air Force women flying to permit all-female crews, and as the Air Force realized that it was not gender that counts when you put together an all volunteer force, more and more positions opened up to women. A lot of that change had to do with taking advantage of all the talent in our work force. And some of it had to do with the blurring of traditional front lines. The front line may be in the sea, air or wherever a Scud missile hits.
Women are often close to enemy fire.
Primary targets in any war are the opposing side's supply and refueling capability, as well as all military bases. The contributions of our women have been key to the military crises of the 1980s. During the Grenada operation, women crewed airlifters and tankers. Air Force women flew troops and supplies to Panama for Operation Just Cause. Then came Desert Storm and 12,500 Air Force women deployed.