Eileen Bjorkman
@aviationhistgal.bsky.social
I tell veterans' stories. Retired USAF. Freelance writer on aviation history topics and author of "The Fly Girls Revolt: The Story of the Women Who Kicked Open the Door to Fly in Combat." https://eileenbjorkman.com/ Please help me tell your stories!
Ann Baumgartner was a WASP during World War II. She was the only WASP to fly as an experimental test pilot and, on October 14, 1944, the first woman to pilot a jet aircraft, the X-59A.
March 5, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Ann Baumgartner was a WASP during World War II. She was the only WASP to fly as an experimental test pilot and, on October 14, 1944, the first woman to pilot a jet aircraft, the X-59A.
Today's shero is Capt Mary Klinker, a USAF nurse who was killed on April 4, 1975 in the crash of a C-5 after takeoff from Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. Capt Klinker and the C-5 were taking part in Operation Babylift, the evacuation of orphans during the fall of Saigon.
March 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Today's shero is Capt Mary Klinker, a USAF nurse who was killed on April 4, 1975 in the crash of a C-5 after takeoff from Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. Capt Klinker and the C-5 were taking part in Operation Babylift, the evacuation of orphans during the fall of Saigon.
Continuing the theme of the DoD-less Women's History Month, today's shero is my great-aunt PFC Florence Eighmy who proudly served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. She operated a flight simulator to train Army Air Corps pilots.
March 3, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Continuing the theme of the DoD-less Women's History Month, today's shero is my great-aunt PFC Florence Eighmy who proudly served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. She operated a flight simulator to train Army Air Corps pilots.
Since DoD is no longer celebrating Women’s History Month, us retired folks will do it for them.
Jeanne Holm was the USAF’s first female Brig Gen. She advocated strongly for opening more roles to women, including pilots & combat. She lived long enough to see women fly in combat.
Jeanne Holm was the USAF’s first female Brig Gen. She advocated strongly for opening more roles to women, including pilots & combat. She lived long enough to see women fly in combat.
March 1, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Since DoD is no longer celebrating Women’s History Month, us retired folks will do it for them.
Jeanne Holm was the USAF’s first female Brig Gen. She advocated strongly for opening more roles to women, including pilots & combat. She lived long enough to see women fly in combat.
Jeanne Holm was the USAF’s first female Brig Gen. She advocated strongly for opening more roles to women, including pilots & combat. She lived long enough to see women fly in combat.
On Feb. 18, 1943, the U.S. Army Nurse Corps' first class of flight nurses graduated at Bowman Field, Kentucky.
About 500 flight nurses served during World War II, providing medical evacuation to 1,000,000+ patients.
Seventeen flight nurses lost their lives during the war.
About 500 flight nurses served during World War II, providing medical evacuation to 1,000,000+ patients.
Seventeen flight nurses lost their lives during the war.
February 18, 2025 at 2:57 AM
On Feb. 18, 1943, the U.S. Army Nurse Corps' first class of flight nurses graduated at Bowman Field, Kentucky.
About 500 flight nurses served during World War II, providing medical evacuation to 1,000,000+ patients.
Seventeen flight nurses lost their lives during the war.
About 500 flight nurses served during World War II, providing medical evacuation to 1,000,000+ patients.
Seventeen flight nurses lost their lives during the war.
On Feb 19, 1988, the FAA permanently retired the registration number for the Lockheed Electra aircraft Amelia Earhart was flying when she disappeared in July 1937 during her around the world flight attempt. Her sister, Muriel Earhart Morrissey, requested the number be retired.
February 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
On Feb 19, 1988, the FAA permanently retired the registration number for the Lockheed Electra aircraft Amelia Earhart was flying when she disappeared in July 1937 during her around the world flight attempt. Her sister, Muriel Earhart Morrissey, requested the number be retired.
On Feb 4, 1969, the surviving XB-70 was retired and flown to Wright-Patterson AFB, where it is now on display at the NMUSAF. More than 50 years later, the iconic Mach 3 bomber still looks futuristic and continues to inspire aircraft designers and enthusiasts around the world.
February 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
On Feb 4, 1969, the surviving XB-70 was retired and flown to Wright-Patterson AFB, where it is now on display at the NMUSAF. More than 50 years later, the iconic Mach 3 bomber still looks futuristic and continues to inspire aircraft designers and enthusiasts around the world.
On Feb 2, 1970, during a training mission, an F-106 went into a flat spin. After the pilot ejected, the aircraft recovered on its own. It then made a belly landing in a field in Montana. The aircraft, dubbed the ‘Cornfield Bomber,' flew again and is now on display at the NMUSAF.
February 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
On Feb 2, 1970, during a training mission, an F-106 went into a flat spin. After the pilot ejected, the aircraft recovered on its own. It then made a belly landing in a field in Montana. The aircraft, dubbed the ‘Cornfield Bomber,' flew again and is now on display at the NMUSAF.
This is insane. For those who think they’re safe because they are white and born in the US: I’ve had people question my citizenship because of my Swedish last name. I also was born near the southern border because my father was in the Air Force. I’m safe for now, but when do they come for me?
Right out of the gate they are detaining U.S. citizens and saying their “papers”are fake. It was always a lie.
January 24, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is insane. For those who think they’re safe because they are white and born in the US: I’ve had people question my citizenship because of my Swedish last name. I also was born near the southern border because my father was in the Air Force. I’m safe for now, but when do they come for me?
Reposted by Eileen Bjorkman
#OTD in 1961: Goldsboro B-52 crash (N. Carolina, US). USAF B-52 [58-0187] crashes in Goldsboro. 3 of 8 crew die. Jet had 2 nuclear bombs aboard: 1 was heavily damaged but did not cause contamination. Cause: fuel leak due to metal fatigue on wings, which were later redesigned.
January 23, 2025 at 11:17 PM
#OTD in 1961: Goldsboro B-52 crash (N. Carolina, US). USAF B-52 [58-0187] crashes in Goldsboro. 3 of 8 crew die. Jet had 2 nuclear bombs aboard: 1 was heavily damaged but did not cause contamination. Cause: fuel leak due to metal fatigue on wings, which were later redesigned.
The early 60s were a hotbed of record-setting by the US military. For example, on Jan 14, 1961, a B-58 crew from Carswell AFB, TX set a record of 1,284.73 mph over a 1,000-kilometer course.
Why? It was during the Cold War, and the records sent a message to the Soviet Union.
Why? It was during the Cold War, and the records sent a message to the Soviet Union.
January 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The early 60s were a hotbed of record-setting by the US military. For example, on Jan 14, 1961, a B-58 crew from Carswell AFB, TX set a record of 1,284.73 mph over a 1,000-kilometer course.
Why? It was during the Cold War, and the records sent a message to the Soviet Union.
Why? It was during the Cold War, and the records sent a message to the Soviet Union.
What's your favorite US Air Force aircraft? It probably was tested at Edwards AFB.
ow.ly/WpF950UM7O8
ow.ly/WpF950UM7O8
What's your favorite Air Force aircraft? It probably was tested at Edwards AFB.
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
ow.ly
January 23, 2025 at 10:56 PM
What's your favorite US Air Force aircraft? It probably was tested at Edwards AFB.
ow.ly/WpF950UM7O8
ow.ly/WpF950UM7O8
What do these three aircraft have in common? They all had their first flights a few days before Christmas! Nice holiday presents for the Navy and the Air Force. Maybe some holiday cheer or workers motivated by their upcoming break got them in the air? Wrong answers only!
December 31, 2024 at 3:55 AM
What do these three aircraft have in common? They all had their first flights a few days before Christmas! Nice holiday presents for the Navy and the Air Force. Maybe some holiday cheer or workers motivated by their upcoming break got them in the air? Wrong answers only!
The P-63 was mostly used in the Soviet Union under lend-lease. The aircraft were ferried to Nome, Alaska where Soviet pilots, many of them women, picked up the 2500+ airplanes and delivered them across the Bering Sea. Members of the WASP were also involved in ferrying in the US.
December 6, 2024 at 2:15 PM
The P-63 was mostly used in the Soviet Union under lend-lease. The aircraft were ferried to Nome, Alaska where Soviet pilots, many of them women, picked up the 2500+ airplanes and delivered them across the Bering Sea. Members of the WASP were also involved in ferrying in the US.
WWII search & rescue aircraft were amphibians. This OA-10 was designed to hunt submarines but its endurance was valuable as a rescue aircraft in both the European & Pacific theaters. One of the people rescued by an OA-10 was Russell Johnson, who later played the Professor on Gilligan's Island.
December 3, 2024 at 8:41 PM
WWII search & rescue aircraft were amphibians. This OA-10 was designed to hunt submarines but its endurance was valuable as a rescue aircraft in both the European & Pacific theaters. One of the people rescued by an OA-10 was Russell Johnson, who later played the Professor on Gilligan's Island.
On Nov 27, 1949, the C-124 Globemaster II had its first flight. The aircraft was the USAF's airlift workhorse during the 1950s/60s until replaced by the C-141. This photo is from a 1956 Mobile Baker deployment from Foster AFB TX to Germany. What aircraft is the Globemaster III?
November 27, 2024 at 5:28 AM
On Nov 27, 1949, the C-124 Globemaster II had its first flight. The aircraft was the USAF's airlift workhorse during the 1950s/60s until replaced by the C-141. This photo is from a 1956 Mobile Baker deployment from Foster AFB TX to Germany. What aircraft is the Globemaster III?
Reposted by Eileen Bjorkman
Women Military Aviators is collecting links to articles about the SecDef nominee's comments about women in combat roles. Please share link.
November 24, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Women Military Aviators is collecting links to articles about the SecDef nominee's comments about women in combat roles. Please share link.
One of the things that struck me when I was traveling in Russia in 2014 was how they revered engineers. Some are buried alongside presidents & famous writers in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery, including aircraft designers Artem Mikoyan & Andrei Tupolev.
November 22, 2024 at 10:34 PM
One of the things that struck me when I was traveling in Russia in 2014 was how they revered engineers. Some are buried alongside presidents & famous writers in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery, including aircraft designers Artem Mikoyan & Andrei Tupolev.
There's a magical board at the Air Force Flight Test Museum that captures every first flight either made at Edwards AFB or took off from somewhere else & landed there after its first flight. In this video, I talk about the magic of Edwards Air Force Base.
ow.ly/pLsE50U876z
ow.ly/pLsE50U876z
November 18, 2024 at 8:38 PM
There's a magical board at the Air Force Flight Test Museum that captures every first flight either made at Edwards AFB or took off from somewhere else & landed there after its first flight. In this video, I talk about the magic of Edwards Air Force Base.
ow.ly/pLsE50U876z
ow.ly/pLsE50U876z
Reposted by Eileen Bjorkman
95 YEARS!!!
Founded Nov 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, Long Island, NY.
There was 117 licensed women pilots in the US, all were invited to a meeting, to create an organization for mutual support, advancing aviation and to create a central office to keep files on women in aviation.
99 joined.
Founded Nov 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, Long Island, NY.
There was 117 licensed women pilots in the US, all were invited to a meeting, to create an organization for mutual support, advancing aviation and to create a central office to keep files on women in aviation.
99 joined.
November 15, 2024 at 6:32 AM
95 YEARS!!!
Founded Nov 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, Long Island, NY.
There was 117 licensed women pilots in the US, all were invited to a meeting, to create an organization for mutual support, advancing aviation and to create a central office to keep files on women in aviation.
99 joined.
Founded Nov 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, Long Island, NY.
There was 117 licensed women pilots in the US, all were invited to a meeting, to create an organization for mutual support, advancing aviation and to create a central office to keep files on women in aviation.
99 joined.
Reposted by Eileen Bjorkman
Further to introducing the site, i want introduce our team of editors. First up is @brianlaslie.bsky.social who is a US Air Force Historian and Command Historian at the United States Air Force Academy and author of numerous works.
For our new followers, 'From Balloons to Drones' is an online scholarly platform that seeks to analyse and debate air power history, theory, and current operations in their broadest sense, including space and cyber power. 1/
November 15, 2024 at 5:40 AM
Further to introducing the site, i want introduce our team of editors. First up is @brianlaslie.bsky.social who is a US Air Force Historian and Command Historian at the United States Air Force Academy and author of numerous works.
In 1989, we were entering the digital age in flight testing, but we weren't quite there yet. Here, I'm in a control room monitoring a live test using analog paper strip charts & a microphone held together with duct tape. I'd love to hear your memories of computers in the 1980s.
November 15, 2024 at 12:22 AM
In 1989, we were entering the digital age in flight testing, but we weren't quite there yet. Here, I'm in a control room monitoring a live test using analog paper strip charts & a microphone held together with duct tape. I'd love to hear your memories of computers in the 1980s.
Id love to see an F-8 fly again! How about you? vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-new...
Bringing 'The Last of the Gunfighters' Home: Vietnam War Flight Museum's Mission to Preserve the Final F-8 Crusader - Vintage Aviation News
The Vietnam War Flight Museum has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support its mission of preserving the final F-8 Crusader and "Bringing 'The Last of the Gunfighters' Home."
vintageaviationnews.com
November 14, 2024 at 10:40 PM
Id love to see an F-8 fly again! How about you? vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-new...
Reposted by Eileen Bjorkman
Hi all this is my first post. Introducing myself and look forward to kinder conversations. I am a journalist, author, filmmaker and want to be here not there. I have not posted my cover yet anywhere. Here's my new narrative nonfiction book about Amelia Earhart coming out July 15 via Viking Books.
November 13, 2024 at 1:20 AM
Hi all this is my first post. Introducing myself and look forward to kinder conversations. I am a journalist, author, filmmaker and want to be here not there. I have not posted my cover yet anywhere. Here's my new narrative nonfiction book about Amelia Earhart coming out July 15 via Viking Books.