New direction for female flight gear

NELLIS AFB, Nev. - The Air Force is working to redesign gear used by female pilots across the service after facing challenges with current flight equipment – the majority of which dates back to the 1960s. “We have women performing in every combat mission, and we owe it to them to have gear that fits, is suited for a woman’s frame” that one can be in for hours, said AF Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. The lack of variety and representation in current designs have caused a multitude of issues for women pilots, according to Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander at Columbus AFB, Miss. Many of the uniform issues circulate around G-suits, flight suits, urinary devices, and survival vests. The AF and Air Combat Command are working to find a feasible solution for aircrew members. Part of the strategy to correct some of the issues was to take part in several collaborative Female Flight Equipment Workshops to explore and come up with proposed solutions. The workshops were designed to bring female aviators, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Human Systems Program Office personnel and subject matter experts to “understand the current products, the acquisition process and the actual needs from the field,” Weeks said. There were some clear actions coming out of those workshops. “The Air Force has evolved over the years and continues to evolve,” Weeks echoed. “Female aviators entering the Air Force now will not have the same issues I had over the last 21 years.” (Source: 99th Air Base Wing 04/01/19)