Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campuses Celebrate Girls in Aviation Day

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide U.S. Military International Operations Campuses celebrated the 10th annual Girls in Aviation Day in September, with tours, presentations and events featuring female pilots, maintenance technicians and much more in an effort to inspire youth — between the ages of 4 and 18 — to pursue careers in aviation.

Hosted by Women in Aviation International (WAI), the event was supported by 10 Embry-Riddle Campus teams throughout the European and Pacific U.S. Military area of operations, including Germany, Spain, Italy, mainland Japan, Okinawa and South Korea. A nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation and aerospace career fields and interests, WAI began celebrating Girls in Aviation Day in 2015 to encourage and inspire girls’ interest in aviation fields and careers. WAI’s Girls in Aviation Day events have grown to reach more than 30,000 girls in 31 different countries.

This year marked the largest Girls in Aviation Day celebration on Europe/Pacific military installations overseas, with over 450 participants. The events inspired a future generation of pilots, maintainers, aerospace engineers and aviation enthusiasts.

Interactive tours were the highlight of this year’s events. In South Korea, children were able to fly in Chinook and Apache helicopter simulators and experienced the Apache AVCATT. Active-duty female pilots provided detailed explanations of the aircraft, their instruments and the broader mission objectives of the aircraft. The pilots also hosted a Q&A session, offering insights into aviation careers. After the session, attendees took a tour of the air traffic control tower, where they controlled traffic in the simulator and watched operations from the tower. At Osan Air Base, participants visited the passenger terminal and received interactive briefs from airfield management, firefighters, maintenance, engines and avionics, and aircrew flight equipment teams, as well as various pilots.

At NAF Atsugi, the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 had all systems running, and children were able to ride the rescue basket system. The Yokota AB Aeroclub, Air Traffic Control, Life Support Section and 36th Flying Squadron collaborated jointly to support an interactive show-and-tell experience, including a night goggle vision experience. Over 100 participants at Kadena AB toured the KC-135, HH-60 and F-15 aircraft in collaboration with the U.S. Girl Scouts.

At the Wiesbaden Campus, attendees learned about the history of aviation, famous female aviators and what it takes to become a pilot. Participants then toured static displays of the C-35 plane, as well as the Blackhawk helicopter, with a captain and two crew chiefs on hand to answer questions about the equipment and aircraft. Embry-Riddle alumnus Antonnio Boone, air traffic control tower chief, also gave a tour of the new tower.

Youth at Yokosuka Naval Base and Rota Naval Air Station enjoyed building paper airplanes to determine the most aerodynamic designs. They also enjoyed story-time sessions about successful female aviators and more.

The Misawa Campus collaborated with the local Misawa Aviation & Science Museum, home to “Miss Veedol,” the first aircraft to fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean in 1931. Attendees participated in a scavenger hunt around the museum to learn about aviation and space, and they also experienced flying over Misawa City in a flight simulator.

“It’s a true honor and privilege to collaborate with WAI and the remarkable women in both military and civilian aviation to pave the way for the next generation of young aviators,” said Hayley Yamanaka, associate executive director of PACOM Campus Operations. “Our campus teams and gracious volunteers are passionate about ensuring children on military bases throughout the world are provided with as many opportunities as possible to take their dreams to new heights.”

“The power of Girls in Aviation Day crosses international borders to inspire the next generation of leaders in aviation, aerospace and STEM,” added Nancy Tran-Horne, executive director of U.S. Military Europe/PACOM Campus Operations. “Each year, ERAU looks forward to providing meaningful engagement activities for future leaders on military installations around the globe.”

Learn more about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Campus Locations on U.S. military installations in Europe and the Pacific.

Posted In: Institutional News