Air Wacs were members of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) serving with the Army Air Forces. Among the many assignments an Air Wac was eligible for were link trainer, weather forecaster, radio operator, mechanic, and air traffic controller. At it's peak, Air Wac strength was 32,000, and the enlisted women filled more than 200 job specialites. By the end of the war, more than 7,000 Air Wacs had served overseas.
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By the fall of 1943, a new enlistment policy allowed recruits to choose their own branch of the Army. Air Wac recruiting pamphlets such as this one were used to persuade women to join the Army Air Forces rather than either the Army Ground Forces or the Army Service Forces. (Women Veterans General Printed Material Collection, #WV-0002) |
Air Wacs take a break from airplane repair, c. 1943. (June Neely Baker Collection, #WV-0138) |
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More than 7,000 Air Wacs served overseas during World War II. Nancy Hinchliffe traveled to England, France, and Germany with the Army Air Force Signal Corps. (Nancy Riddle Hinchliffe Collection, #WV-0064) |
Air Wac tropical worsted summer uniform. (Reva Ingram Fortune Collection, #WV-0034) |
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