The Great Avenger

February 21, 1943 Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas became the world’s first all female air base. Eighteen classes of WASP- Women’s Airforce Service Pilots-trained at Avenger. Over 25,000 women applied to become WASP, 1,830 were accepted, and 1,074 received their wings, most at Avenger Field. Today the airport houses the National WASP World War II Museum.
The WASP were disbanded in December 1944 and sent home with no military benefits. In 1977 they were granted veteran status and in 2009 they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. President Obama said, “The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since. Every American should be grateful for their service.”