The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of women in Naval Aviation, an anniversary that celebrated when the first women began flight school in Pensacola, Florida, back in 1973. In the years since those “first six” donned their flight suits, women’s role in Naval Aviation has expanded to serve and lead in every aspect of the enterprise. A lesser-known part of this history is the role that women have played in support of the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission, which links the president and secretary of defense with naval ballistic missile forces during times of crisis. Throughout the years, TACAMO has been ahead of the curve in its inclusion and promotion of women, said Vern Lochausen, a retired commodore and longtime member of the TACAMO community who now serves as a consultant for the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office.

Capt. Ronnie Harper has spent the entirety of his 35-year naval career improving Naval Aviation through positions held as an enlisted and naval officer assigned in organizational (O-Level) and intermediate (I-Level) maintenance and acquisition assignments. This experience ultimately led to his current role as the Maintenance Operations Center (MOC) Director at Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT).

Vice Adm. Carl P. Chebi, who came aboard in September 2021 as Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), shares his priorities with Naval Aviation News.