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Today in Aviation History: Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) Established
On September 10, 1942, the U.S. Army Air Forces established the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), allowing women pilots to ferry aircraft and support the war effort. The program later became the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), with over 1,100 women flying 77 types of aircraft and logging more than 60 million miles during World War II.
1943 WAFS Barbara Towne, Cornelia Fort, Evelyn Sharp, Barbara Erickson, and Bernice Batten beside a Vultee BT-13 Valiant. U.S. Air Force Photo
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On this day in aviation history, 83 years ago (September 10, 1942), the U.S. Army Air Forces Air Transport Command created the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). At a time when women were barred from serving in direct combat roles, the WAFS provided an opportunity for skilled female aviators to contribute to the war effort by ferrying aircraft from factories to operational bases. Nancy Harkness Love was appointed as the first commander of the WAFS. A pioneering aviator herself, Love recruited some of the most experienced women pilots in the United States to join the unit.
Elizabeth L. Remba Gardner of Rockford, Illinois, WASP (Women’s Air Force Service Pilots), Class: 43-W-6, takes a look around before sending her plane streaking down the runway at the Harlingen Army Airfield, Texas. Image US Department of the Air Force.
Shortly afterward, celebrated aviator Jacqueline Cochran was appointed Director of Women’s Flying Training. Cochran established a training school at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, where 232 women earned their wings between 1942 and 1944. In total, more than 1,000 women completed flight training and served as ferry pilots, proving invaluable to the Army Air Forces.
AVENGER FIELD AKA Sweetwater Army Airfield
As the number of women pilots grew, so did their responsibilities. In 1943, the WAFS were merged into the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, which expanded their missions beyond ferrying. WASP aviators flew target-towing operations for aerial gunnery practice, served as test pilots for repaired or modified aircraft, and operated advanced bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-26 Marauder—tasks that many male pilots declined.
Four WASPs in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress
Despite their contributions, the program was disbanded on December 20, 1944, after resistance from Army leadership and the end of wartime demand. By then, 1,102 WASPs had flown 77 different types of aircraft, logging more than 60 million miles. Their service broke barriers, challenged stereotypes, and proved that women could fly—and fight—just as capably as men, even if recognition came only decades later.
President Barack Obama signs S.614 in the Oval Office on July 1 at the White House. The bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Women Airforce Service Pilots. The WASP program was established during World War II, and from 1942 to 1943, more than 1,000 women joined, flying 60 million miles of noncombat military missions. Of the women who received their wings as Women Airforce Service Pilots, approximately 300 are living today. (Official White House photo/Pete Souza)
Commercial Pilot, CFI, and Museum Entrepreneur, with a subject focus on WWII Aviation. I am dedicated to building flight experience so I can fly WWII Fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, for museums and airshows, and in the USAF Heritage Flight. I lead and run the Pennington Flight Memorial, to honor local MIA Tuskegee Airman F/O Leland “Sticky” Pennington.
On this day in aviation history, 83 years ago (September 10, 1942), the U.S. Army Air Forces Air Transport Command created the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). At a time when women were barred from serving in direct combat roles, the WAFS provided an opportunity for skilled female aviators to contribute to the war effort by ferrying aircraft from factories to operational bases. Nancy Harkness Love was appointed as the first commander of the WAFS. A pioneering aviator herself, Love recruited some of the most experienced women pilots in the United States to join the unit.
