Anniversary of WASP Training 1942

On November 16, 1942, the first Womens Air Service Pilots (WASPs) entered training. The concept of  women flying non-combat missions to free male pilots to fly combat missions was proposed by Jackie Cochran and Nancy Harkness Love in the summer of 1941.

The first group of 38 WASP pilots, nicknamed the “guinea pigs”, began their training at Houston Municipal Airport and were required to complete the same Primary, Basic and Advanced flying courses as male pilots, and many progressed on to specialized courses.

WASPs flew fighters, bombers and transports on ferry and support missions throughout the world.

HAND SALUTE to the WASPs!