MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Every month of March, Air Force Global Strike Command recognizes Women’s History Month by coordinating all-female alert teams to dispatch to the missile field.
This year, all three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, as well as the 341st Maintenance Group, are posting females to the field on International Women’s Day.
“We’re sending out all-female crews on March 7, which is International Women’s Day,” said Capt. Madeline Ross, 341st Operations Group standardization and evaluation flight evaluator. “To be able to represent women as operators, maintainers and even in the back-shops, which are male-dominated career fields, is just explosive.”
Women’s History Month commemorates the vital role of women in American history and its future. From manning the home front during the world wars to propelling suffragettes to demand the right to vote, women’s contributions in society has been, and is, constantly evolving.
“The military is primarily male, and even more so in certain jobs, so the stigma that women only exist in supporting roles or as spouses is still out there,” said Staff Sgt. Rachel Harrington, 741st Maintenance Squadron electronics lab quality assurance section. “Women directly support the mission every day.”
Though Women’s History Month is designed to spread awareness of the accomplishments of women throughout history, this is a celebration inclusive to all.
“This is not a day to celebrate women and exclude men,” said Ross. “Each year we have more people excited and volunteering to participate and support, both women and men.”
With excitement growing annually and larger groups taking part, this event is becoming a command tradition.
“We want people to see that this is how Air Force Global Strike Command and Malmstrom celebrates Women’s History Month,” Ross said.