Women Military Aviators, Winter/Spring 2012 Page: 2 of 8
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: National WASP WWII Museum and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the National WASP WWII Museum.
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INTER/SPRING 2012 PRINT EDITION
Basic Aircrew (BA) syllabus. I
soon transferred to Aviation
Training Center (ATC) Mobile
where I was assigned to the HU-25
Falcon. There I became an HU-25
BA and Dropmaster but I never gave
up on my dream of becoming a
Flight Mechanic. I finished my
HH-65 BA syllabus and was dual
qualified for the rest of my tour at
ATC Mobile as an HU25
Dropmaster and an HH-65 Basic
Aircrewman. After completing my
tour in Mobile I transferred to Air
Station Corpus Christi and finally
made my way back to the 65 world.
It was there that I finally became an
HH-65 Flight Mechanic. I still
remember the day I got qualified, I
was so excited and at the time I
thought that accomplishment was
like no other. I aspired to be a
Flight Mechanic because of the
crucial role they play, along with the
Rescue Swimmer, in rescuing those
in need of help. I definitely wanted
to be part of something so profound
and rewarding. At the time I had no
idea that my achievement would be
more monumental than just
accomplishing a personal goal.
While stationed at Corpus
Christi I participated in numerous
Search and Rescue cases and
actually saved the lives of two
fishermen on an overturned vessel.
I finished my tour in Corpus and
was again transferred to ATC
Mobile where I was assigned to the
HC-144 Ocean Sentry. I am
presently an HC-144 Dropmaster
and recently had the honor of
participating in the first all African
American HC-144 crew. The crew
was set to fly to New Orleans to be
part of a Black History Month
presentation centered on African
American Aviators.
This opportunity along with the
distinguished honor of being the
first African American Female
HH-65 Flight Mechanic has been an
extremely humbling experience.
Never in a million years would thislittle girl from Atlantic City believe
that she would be a part of history,
literally. At the time, I didn't realize
the importance of the flight until I
looked out into the audience and
saw the young children from
neighborhoods much like mine and
the Tuskegee Airman that paved the
way for me to be standing there. It
was then I realized that I was
repaying my ancestors in the best
way possible. I was actually living
the dreams they died fighting for
and I was paving the way for others
by being an example that goals can
be reached and dreams can come
true no matter where you're from or
what you look like. Now as I am
honored with another "first" I hope
to continue to be a reference for
children and females everywhere.
Yes it can be hard and yes it can be
exhausting but it is not impossible.
You just have to keep at it and
never, ever give up. The road has
been rough but it has been more
than worth it. I tell people all the
time that the Coast Guard was the
best decision I ever made! The
Coast Guard offers so many
opportunities to anyone that wants
them. It is a very rewarding
organization and I absolutely love
it! I am truly blessed that I can
stand here today making history out
of something that I just wanted to do
for myself and that I honestly love
to do.
I would be extremely remiss if I
did not thank the wonderful people
in my life that support and
encourage me on a daily basis.
Thanks so much to my wonderful
husband, two beautiful daughters,
my Mom, and Aunt for loving me
and pressing me on.
Editors Note: According to records,
AMTi Cooley is the USCG's first
African American HH-65 Flight
Mechanic.WMA's purpose: "Promote and
preserve for historical, educational
and literary purposes the role of
women pilots, navigators and aircrew
in the service of their country during
times of war and peace"
Buried Treasures
Every time I would pack up to move to
another assignment, I'd come across
boxes and boxes of old military
uniforms, files, orders, souvenirs and
such and ask myself why in the world
should I keep it all?
Because... its important! The papers,
artifacts, journals, etc. tell our personal
stories and contribute to a
comprehensive picture of women
military aviators which is to date
woefully incomplete. Although you may
not believe it now, what you have done
over the years, even the mundane,
routine flights and your personal
correspondence help document and
paint a truthful picture of what women
military aviators have accomplished.
So, as you tackle your closet in
preparation for your next move, consider
sending those boxes of treasures to
Texas Woman's University Special
Collections (they are also the official
archive for the WASP). A list of how and
what to donate will soon be on our
website as well as extensive information
on preserving your personal history.
Margie Varuska
WMA Historical CommitteeHC-144
PAULm
.4
X INTER/SPRING 2012
PRINT EDITION
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Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Women Military Aviators, Inc. Women Military Aviators, Winter/Spring 2012, periodical, Winter 2012; Marshfield, Missouri. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth877479/m1/2/?q=%22Military+and+War+-+United+States+Armed+Forces+-+United+States+Air+Force%22: accessed July 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National WASP WWII Museum.