Women milestone makers share history with RAF Mildenhall, local community

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachel Waller
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England - --  The year was 1941 and the United Kingdom was at war when a teenage girl wanted to do more for the war effort than sew uniforms.

The girl lied about her age because she was terrified that the war would end before she could enlist and at 17, Jean Patterson entered the United Kingdom's Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

Patterson, Eleanor Wadsworth and Chaplain (Maj.) Kristina Coppinger, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain, shared their stories with Team Mildenhall and members of the local community during the Women's History Month Social March 30 at the base theater.

In 1941, Wadsworth said she started as an architect in the United Kingdom's Air Transport Auxiliary, but as the war effort grew she became one of the first female pilots who delivered new military aircraft to Royal Air Force airfields.

"I flew 430 solo flying hours, 28 (Hawker) Hurricanes, 132 (Supermarine) Spitfires, a (P-51) Mustang and two (F6F) Hellcats," said Wadsworth of her service from 1943 to 1945.
"It was a bit dodgy at times but most of the time it was awful good fun."

Patterson, who went on to become one of the first females to pass the trade test boards to become an electrician in the WAAF, echoed Wadsworth's thoughts.

"It wasn't an easy ride," said Patterson. She and five other women were taught their trade after duty hours and on their free time.

Despite obstacles, both Patterson and Wadsworth said that it is an honor to be considered women of history.

Coppinger shared with the audience other historical moments that enabled women in the armed services to be where they are now.

The chaplain said the first woman to enter U.S. military service was Loretta Walsh, when she joined the Navy in March 1917. Another historic milestone came in 1975, when President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-106 into law.

"It allowed women to enter all military service academies, beginning in 1976," said Coppinger. "In June 1976, 157 women enrolled in the United States Air Force Academy and in 1980, 90 women commissioned."

Currently, women make up 19 percent of both the total amount of officers and enlisted in the Air Force, said Coppinger.

The social event was the last of this year's celebration of Women's History Month at RAF Mildenhall. Throughout the month, activities were held to celebrate and bring awareness to women's accomplishments from the past to the present.