Opening its national tour at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va. on Nov. 14, the “Fly Girls of World War II” exhibit extols the service of the Women Airforce Service Pilots—the WASP. Air Force Maj. Nicole Malachowski, a fighter pilot and current White House Fellow, said at the opening ceremony, “You had a dream; you followed that dream, and your legacy inspired my dream.” The traveling exhibit, which comprises uniforms, photos, training manuals, patches, and other artifacts, is to remain in Arlington through November 2009 before moving on to other venues around the country. (AFPS report by Army SSgt. Michael Carden; Air Force report by TSgt. April Lapetoda)
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.