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The 80th Flying Training Wing hosts a Women in Aviation event.

Pabio October 28, 2024

The 80th Flying Training Wing hosted the women’s flying event on Friday as part of the joint Euro-NATO jet pilot training program.

It was an opportunity for female pilots, mechanics and other aviation professionals to share their knowledge and experience.

Capt. Tara DeGeorge said she never felt overwhelmed being a female pilot.

“I would say there are some challenges… being a woman flying a plane like this because it was certainly designed for men, but that doesn’t mean a woman can’t not do it,” DeGeorge said. “Women can thrive and achieve this.”

Capt. Tara DeGeorge, a female pilot, gives an interview during the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program Women in Aviation flying event at Sheppard Air Force Base, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 .

Several planes were on display such as an F-16, a B-52, a T-6 Texan and many others, demonstrating that women can pilot these same planes.

Students from Wichita Falls ISD and Burkburnett ISD were in attendance. They had the opportunity to see the different jobs and fields of aviation that are available to them in the future.

Local students from Wichita Falls ISD and Burkburnett ISD take photos with some of the female aviators during the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program's Women in Aviation flying event at Wichita Falls Air Base Sheppard, Friday October 25, 2024. — Local students from Wichita Falls ISD and Burkburnett ISD take photos with some of the female aviators during the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program’s Women in Aviation flying event at Wichita Falls Air Base Sheppard, Friday October 25, 2024.

Altus AFB Official Training Unit Instructor Tech Sgt. Samantha Hunt briefly talked about what it’s like to be an expectant mother in the Air Force and how she’s adjusting to it.

“It’s amazing. I’ve had support the whole time, and the amazing thing is that I can still train the students in the field,” Hunt said.