The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a civilian women pilots' organization, whose members were Civil Service employees. Their purpose was to free male pilots for combat roles during World War II. Despite various members of the armed forces being involved in the creation of the program, the WASP and its members had no military standing. WASPs became trained pilots who tested aircraft, ferried aircraft, and trained other pilots.
WASP pilots logged over 60 million miles, transported every type of military aircraft, and even towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice!
Thirty-eight WASP members lost their lives and one, Gertrude Tompkins, disappeared while on a ferry mission, her fate still unknown. In 1977, for their World War II service, the members were granted veteran status, and in 2009 awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Fly Girls is our salute to the W.A.S.P. (Women Airforce Service Pilots) and those young women who were determined to learn to fly and come to the aid of our country during its time of need.
Our Fly Girls label commemorates the sacrifice put forth by these ladies in support of the war effort, their contributions to aviation, and their promotion of women as professional pilots.
In the past couple of years, we have had the privilege of participating in the annual WASP Homecoming & Fly-In, held at The National WASP-WWII museum in Sweetwater, TX. It has been our honor to celebrate these American heroes, and to share in their legacy of women aviators, both civilian and military.