Women Veterans

When Air Force Veteran Greg Feest took off in his F-117 Jan. 16, 1991, there was a 50/50 chance he wasn’t coming back. Iraq was one of the most heavily defended airspaces in history. According to the Gulf War Air Power Survey, there were 972 anti-aircraft artillery sites, 2,404 guns and 6,100 mobile guns. There were also surface-to-air missiles: 6,500 SA-7s, 400 SA-9s, 192 SA-13s, and 288 SA-14s. Pilots spent months planning operations, developing routes and making target lists during Operation Desert Shield. During that planning, the numbers were grim. For the 12 F-117s that left Jan. 16, commanders said six might not return. Most spouses didn’t know when the Desert Storm air war started and watched the TV coverage from the U.S. Bridget McGovern, Feest’s wife and also an Air Force Veteran, knew hours before. She watched from a command center at their base in Saudi Arabia.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Marie Rossi, a helicopter pilot who served and died in a crash during Operation Desert Storm.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Cindy Kendrick, who served at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and volunteers with Honor Flight Houston.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Joy Cleaver Miller, who served in Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Bosnia, Russia and Yemen.

Training conducted virtually by a woman Veteran who has experience with VA services. Women from various VA clinics and facilities around the country answer questions about specific women’s services.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Shamika Crumpton, who served as a forklift operator and truck driver for five years.

Just 20 years ago, VA served a little more than 150,000 women Veterans. This was before 9/11, an event that prompted so many American men and women to enlist and defend their country. Today, VA is serving more than 740,000 women Veterans.

Chats with the Chief is a new podcast series featuring VHA Chief of Staff Jon Jensen as he talks with key players about the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and how it serves America’s Veterans. In the first episode, he's joined by VA's Acting Deputy Secretary Pamela Powers

Today's #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Frances A. Dennis, who served on both active duty and the Tennessee National Guard.

During National Native American Heritage Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Mitchelene BigMan, who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Each month, VA’s Center for Women Veterans profiles a different woman Veteran author as part of their Women Veteran Authors Book Corner. November’s author is Air Force Veteran Angelica “Angel” Pilato, who served from 1967 to 1972 on active duty and the Reserve from 1974-1991.

Transitioning service woman or new woman Veteran? This Air Force Veteran highly recommends you join the more than 750 other women Veterans who have taken advantage of this free training resource.