Military Fly Moms: Sharing Memories Building Legacies Inspiring Hope

About this book

Military Fly Moms is a gorgeous coffee-table book with a collection of true stories by seventy women who shared the same two dreamsbecoming a military aviator and being a mom. The first few women who in the seventies took their places in the world of all-male military aviation paved the way for other women to follow. From flying during the Cold War to rescue missions during Hurricane Katrina to flying in combat during the current war on terror these gutsy womenour nations sisters daughters neighbors friends and yes even momshave done it all. Illustrated throughout with 75 stunning color photos Military Fly Moms depicts women aviators in the Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps and Coast Guard alongside their helicopters transport aircraft or fighter planes as well as highlighting their families. These stories and their accompanying photographs weave a beautiful tapestry passing on a lasting legacy to inspire future generations to reach for their dreams.Book Review Military Writers Society of America:"Linda Maloney knows her subject when she writes of women who balance the career of military flying and motherhood. The author herself was one of the first to fly combat missions after the law allowing women to do so went into effect in 1993. Not so coincidently she also happens to be the mother of two boys. "Passionately devoted to her career and family Maloney records the stories of others women likewise who dared to dream big. The book is divided along service lines: Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Each account is unique but they all share two things in common a love of flying and family. "Being a woman balancing a career and a family isnt easy even in civilian life but being a pilot navigator flight instructor etc. in the military sometimes with a husband who may or not be deployed at the same station with you is daunting to say the least. No matter the odds or risks these are intimate accounts of women who wanted to serve their country in a particular wayby flying. Some came from military backgrounds which made their career choice easy. Some came from horse farms. Some joined the military to finance their educations. Some went to Annapolis. Some became Chief Warrant officers other lieutenant colonels or Rear Admirals. Some dreamed of flying before entering the service others afterwards. There was no one set path to their goal. Yet all had the ambition brains and courage to endure rigorous training programs peace and war deployments separations from family and yes pregnancy and career. "What sets the book apart are the special touches Maloney adds. Each woman gives two pieces of advice her insights from parenting and her comment on her career. The Little Flybys quotes from some of their children at the end of the book are endearing. "Maloney pays touching tribute to a friend Kara whose F-14 didnt make landing on the USS Lincoln and was the sole crew member who didnt survive. Equally fitting is Maloneys dedication to Lieutenant Commander Barbara Rainey an aircraft instructor who was killed while training a pilot leaving two young daughters behind." Reviewed by Barbara Peacock 2012