When an airman goes down in hostile territory, it may soon be an airwoman who parachutes in to rescue him, under projected changes to US air force practices announced Monday by top brass.
Secretary Deborah Lee James said she wants to integrate women into the seven remaining male-only roles in the air force within a year and a half. Any qualified service member should get the chance to compete for an exclusive aerial combat role, James said.
“That is to say, whatever the standard is, it would be the same for men and women,” James told reporters from a military station in Hawaii.
The shift would put the air force on track to meet a goal of total integration of women by 2016 announced by former defense secretary Leon Panetta. It comes as the military continues to grapple with reports of sexual harassment and assault, and questions about how to prosecute such cases.
The move could open up some 4,600 new positions to women. James, who in December 2013 became the second woman to be named air force secretary, said new gender-neutral standards are under development for all jobs. Among the seven roles still closed to women are combat rescue officer and enlisted combat controller.
The air force has for years been the most integrated of any of the service branches, with 99% of its positions open to women. The army has the most male-only jobs.
There are about 59,100 women in the air force, or 19% of all members, according to the air force personnel center. A proportionate number of the force’s officers are women, at just under 20%.
James said she wants to improve the service’s retention rates, especially for mid-career servicewomen. The group leaves the force at twice the rate of male counterparts, James said.
“We need to bore down and figure out why that is happening and how we can turn that around,” James said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
