Throughout the 102 years in which the Colombian Air Force has conducted air operations in our country and after 1974, when women became part of the ranks of the Institution, they have held important positions and have gained places of honor in previously only occupied by men.
This is the case of Technician Fernanda Rodríguez, who since entering the School of Non –Commissioned Officers of the Colombian Air Force-ESUFA, has stood out for her leadership, example and discipline.
She entered the School full of dreams and the desire to belong to the Colombian Air Force, there she stood out by doing more than her superiors in command asked to do, excelling for her example. She held the highest position in the ranks as Distinguished Major, becoming the first position of her course, not only for excelling academically, but in the same way in the military and sports areas.
She graduated with honors in 2017, pride of the Alma Mater of the NCOS and her family, who supported her in her dream of being part of the flight corps of the Colombian Air Force.
“One day at School I was able to see a UH-60 up closely, its greatness and its presence made me think that someday I wanted to fly in that helicopter and today, I am very proud of the operation that I fulfill being part of the crews of the Air Combat Command No.5, saving lives,” said Technician Rodríguez.
Rodríguez continued to break paradigms and gain space for the female gender, integrating the first female crew of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, becoming the first gunner of the team, in addition to receiving the Basic Maintenance course of UH-60 and its engine, belonging to the select group of technicians of this type of aircraft, providing support and contributing to the preparation and airworthiness.
“The maintenance tasks have traditionally been conducted by men, before it was thought that a woman could not conduct these tasks, and more when we talk about the maintenance of aircraft and helicopters, I am grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me by my Colombian Air Force to contribute from my training to maintain the Resources of flight, to prove that as a woman I have the same knowledge and skill to fulfill the institutional mission.”
Women like Fernanda continue to gain space and working for women in Colombia, flying and reaching high, proudly wearing the blue uniform.
Source: press-Colombian Air Force
