Pilots showcase C-17 during Asia's largest airshow

by Capt. Tamara Fischer-Carter
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

2/21/2014 - SINGAPORE -- 

"Are you a pilot?" This question was asked countless times of three U.S. Air Force captains at the 2014 Singapore International Airshow, usually followed by a look of disbelief and astonishment.

The airshow, held at Changi Exhibition Centre Feb. 11 to 16 provided an opportunity for these female C-17 Globemaster III pilots to showcase the capabilities of the aircraft and diversity of our military.

Captains Angela Kimler, Jenny Miller, and Jenny Partridge, all with the 535th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, worked on building stronger relations among the international community in support of the airshow.

"It was a great opportunity to let everybody know that females do fly," said Kimler, aircraft commander for the airshow demo. "I guess we might take it for granted in the U.S. but many airshow visitors we talked to have never seen women in the military, much less female pilots."

Their squadron didn't try to send a female team, the rotation just worked out that way, Kimler said.

The Singapore Airshow is Asia's largest and serves as a global marketplace and networking powerhouse for the world's aviation community.

"The airshow is a great way to showcase the C-17 to more than100,000 people and a wonderful way to work on building our relationships with the Asia-Pacific," said Kimler. "It feels good to be able to show our skills to so many different countries and visitors and it's great to showcase our aircraft's capabilities."

All three women have been flying since 2006 and each have more than 2,000 flying hours.  Half of those hours were flown in combat.  They are instructor pilots at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, but came to the airshow as a part of the C-17 demonstration team.  

Kimler is the demo team pilot and showcased the tactical abilities of the C-17 while flying an eight minute profile.

Miller is the demo team narrator and brought the voice of the C-17 to 100,000 spectators highlighting its unique story of global reach and power.

"We've all been deployed multiple times down range, flying in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Miller. "However, it's important to note the C-17 also assists with humanitarian airlifts around the world in times of crisis and need.  It's great to be able to show the different opportunities out there in the aviation community to so many visitors."

Partridge is the instructor pilot on the static team showcasing the static display of the C-17 and brought a personal interaction to 100,000 visitors from all over the world.

"Seeing the visitor's enthusiasm and excitement to hang out with us, their interest to learn about the plane, as well as their fascination with us being female pilots is humbling," said Partridge.

"It's really about the aircraft capabilities and our opportunity to be out here at the airshow and represent the USAF and what we do --we are ready to take on global calling and maintain presence," said Kimler. "Not just related to military combat but also with humanitarian assistance. We can bring a lot of aid to countries in need."