AUGUST 7, 2023 – The Robins Women’s Initiative Team and members of the 461st Operations Support Squadron are leading the effort to get new Advanced Aircrew Combat Uniform to female Airmen at Robins Air Force Base.
Maj. Gloria Ramirez-Hickey, 461st Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations helped organize the distribution.
“This a huge deal because women are typically wearing flight suits made for men,” Ramirez-Hickey said. “Women Airmen had to either wear the suits huge or get them tailored. The new suits account for women’s waists, hips and chest areas, which makes for a more comfortable fit. And when you’re comfortable you can focus on your job.”
According to Ramirez-Hickey, this initiative was created by the Air Force Life Cycle Management to equip women with specialized flight uniforms. Air Force Materiel Command paid for 15,000 uniforms for distribution to active-duty, non-ejection seat, female aviators.
In June and July 2023, distribution drives were held for the new uniforms, which are two-piece flight suits, and a total of 106 uniforms were given out free of charge. There are more than 500 remaining in inventory.
“This is particularly important because these new female flight suits are more costly and are rarely in stock. In my 20-year career, I have only been issued one female flight suit,” Ramirez-Hickey said. The Air Force Uniform Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, identified 41 bases to issue the first round of new uniforms.
Senior Airman Adriana Sotello, 12th Airborne Command and Control Squadron airborne operations technician, volunteered to help with the drive in which she separated the uniforms by size and assisted in the distribution.
“These suits are so much better. They’re not frumpy, which is really nice,” Sotello said. “I definitely feel more comfortable and I’m appreciative those in charge listened to the concerns of women Airmen.”
WIT was established at Robins AFB in mid-2020 with a focus dedicated to improving the quality of life for female employees through advocacy, mentorship and fellowship.
By Kisha Foster Johnson
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office