The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Air and Space Museum unveils new exhibit
The International Women’s Air & Space Museum has put a new exhibit on display.
The International Women’s Air & Space Museum has put a new exhibit on display about Major Sheila Thompson, a retired Air Force navigator who had joined the Air Force in 1987.
Thompson became the first female navigator in Youngstown where she flew varying C-130 specific missions in 1995. She earned her Air Force C-130 Navigator rating a year later.
Thompson graduated from The Ohio State University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in National Security Policies, and a year later she received her Private Pilot License in a Cessna 152 at Bolten Field in Columbus.
She spent 1993 to 1995 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton as the Air Force command post controller, 445th Airlift Wing.
Thompson was assigned to C/LC-130H in Schenectady, New York, where her primary mission was in Antarctica doing off-season regular Air Force missions along with airdrop qualification in 1998.
She then served as an Air Force operations officer for the 439th Airlift Control Flight Westover in Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, from 2003 to 2007.
Thompson also participated in Operation Coronet Oak, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Shining Star, and Operation Resolve.
Thompson retired as a major on July 4, 2011. Throughout her career, Thompson received the Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and Antarctica Service Medal.
Currently on display in the museum are her flight suit, helmet, major garrison cap, navigational flight pouch with a red filter flashlight, compass and computer, “Weather for Airand crews” Air Force Handbook, personal photographs.
The museum offers free admission. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. Office, gift shop, and research center hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays.
The International Women’s Air & Space Museum is located in the terminal of Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland. The mission of IWASM is to preserve the history of women in aviation and space and to document their continuing contributions today and in the future.