The Women Airforce Service Pilots were civilian employees of the United States Department of War. Although the WASP received the same primary, basic and advanced flight training as their U.S. Army Air Force male counterparts, they were not military personnel. Following graduation from their flight training, some pilots went on to specialized training in heavy bombers or fighters.

PHOTO: “Pistol Packin Mamas” Frances Green, Margaret (Peg) Kirchner, Ann Waldner and Blanche Osborn are seen here leaving their plane, “Pistol Packin’ Mama,” at the four-engine school at Lockbourne AAF, Ohio, 1943. These WASP are learning to ferry the B-17