More than 150,000 women have served in war since 2003, four times as many as in the Desert Storm conflict of 1991. They are fighters, medics, drivers and pilots. They’ve been injured, maimed and killed, as well as decorated for their heroic achievements. A new book called “Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq†tells the stories of twelve of these women. We’ll talk to the author as well as some of the women featured in the book and explore how women are changing the makeup of the military.
- Kirsten Holmstedt: author of “Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraqâ€
- Elizabeth Okareeh: Marine Corps Captain and Pilot; the first female to fly the V-22 Osprey (a tiltroter aircraft- VTOL Vertical Take Off and Landing). She has served in Iraq and will most likely be returning for service.
- Rachelle Spors: The 23-year-old Army Specialist was a medic with the 313 Medical Company, a National Guard unit from Lincoln, Nebraska. While on her way to treat wounded Marines, Spors was seriously wounded when her ambulance drove over a stack of IEDs and mines.
- Polly Montgomery: Lt. Colonel Montgomery was the first female commander of a combat squadron in the United States Air Force. She commanded the 41st Airlift Squadron at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In Iraq, this 41-year-old pilot transported troops on and off the battlefield in C-130s (Herks). Montgomery grew up all over the country. Her father is a retired Air Force General and she is a mother.
