Pistol Packin’ Mama!

By WASP Bee Haydu

This photo of WASP B17 pilots was taken at Lockbourne Army Air Field in 1942.  The pilots are Frances Green, Margaret Kirchner, Ann Waldner, and Blanche Osborn walking from the B17 Pistol Packin’ Mama. (Unfortunately all are deceased.)

Sixty-two years later in May, 2004 a picture was taken by SMsgt Kim Burton Frey and coordinated by Msgt. Don “Pop” Porter in front of a KC135R at the same airport, (now Rickenbacker IAP) of Captain Vickie Quinn, Captain Barb Bartch, Major Stefanie Perkowski, and Lt. Heather Arehart (Burris).  The pilots were with the 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio National Guard) and the 166th Air Refueling Squadron. Notice how they all are stepping forward with their right feet and carrying their bags in the same hands as had been the WASP.

Six and a half years later, Lt. Col. Quinn is currently an Air Force Reservist and Government Flight Representative with the Defense Contract Management Agency.

Major Bartch is still affiliated with the 121st Air Refueling Wing.

Lt. Col. Perkowski, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, is currently in two forward-deployed geographic combatant commands:  U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, both located in Stuttgart, Germany.  As an Air Force Reserve Officer, she supports the Headquarters U.S. European Command Plans and Operations Center and as a government civilian, supports the Headquarters U.S. Africa Command Outreach Directorate.

Major Heather Arehart Burris is a Reservist at Scott AFB in the Flight Planning Shop. She builds and maintains flight plans for all Air Mobility Assets.