Major Sean Borland, USAF (ret) believes it's time to honor the WASP for their loyal and faithful service!

by Jess Clackum

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500.0"] (Photo credit: Sean Borland) [/caption]

Major Sean Borland served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps, Army and United States Air Force. A career Military Aviator with 4,700 hours, he began his career as a Chief Warrant Officer, AH-1 Cobra Pilot and AH-64A Instructor Pilot. He continued his career in the Air Force as an MH-53J/M and CV-22 Osprey Flight Lead, Instructor Pilot and Weapons Officer. Sean served overseas in the Army with two Korea tours and in the USAF with multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He currently flies an EC-145 for Memorial Hermann Life Flight in Houston, Texas.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500.0"] (Photo credit: Sean Borland) [/caption]

Maj Borland believes the WASP story is an important part of our history:

"It is essential and long overdue to tell the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). The evolution of American military air power is incomplete without bringing to life the selfless service these pioneering female aviators provided to our great nation.

The sheer determination of these women is amazing. 25,000 women applied for the WASP program, 1,900 were accepted and only 1,074 earned their wings. They dealt with poor living conditions, the danger of flying early mass produced airplanes, discrimination, and limited or no benefits. However, despite all this, they showed that hard work, determination and skill aren’t gender specific.

The WASP flew some of the most difficult aircraft to fly like the B-26 Marauder and the most dangerous missions towing targets for anti-aircraft artillery.

I’ve had the good fortune as a career military aviator to serve with female combat aviators in Attack Helicopters and Special Operations aircraft. These modern day warriors are equally as capable as their male counterparts and a living testament to the dogged determination of the WASP to carve out a place for women in military aviation.

I’m the father of two daughters and have shared the WASP story with them. I’d love to see the WASP stories told to honor their loyal and faithful service to our great nation."

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400.0"] Sean Borland and daughter Hannah in the Collings Foundation UH-1E (Photo credit: Sean Borland) [/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400.0"] The Borland girls and UH-1E 153762 (Photo credit: Sean Borland) [/caption]

Thank you Major Borland for your long and dedicated service to our country and thank you for your support for the WASP, women aviators, and FlyGirls Series!