MTSU AIR RAIDERS CHAPTER
The MTSU Air Raiders, the WAI Chapter for Middle Tennessee State University, attended the WAI Conference for the first time as a Provisional Chapter. Though the distance
was great, the MTSU Air Raiders earned the distinction of having the most members
present of any chapter at the Conference.
mtSU Air rAiderS c HApter
MTSU (l to r) Trish Carter, Lauren Lipe, William Dyke, Bonnie Mallard, Dwight
Powell, Jennifer Toomey (WAI #29327), Carly Crawford (WAI #39501), Laura Aiken
(WAI #40173), Chris Andrey (WAI #39499), Sarah Janson (WAI #29140)
While in San Diego the Middle Tennessee State University Chapter was granted the
privilege of touring Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. MTSU Chapter member Tim
Locke (WAI #39721) was formerly stationed at Miramar in the CH-53E squadron HMH-
462 serving as a mechanic, crew chief, weapons and tactics instructor, and the ground-safety officer. Current Commanding Officer Lt .Col. Kevin Moss was a Captain in the
same squadron during Locke’s first years on base, and together, they arranged for the
Chapter’s surprise tour. They toured the aviation-related resources on base, including
the air traffic control tower and the approach traffic control TRACON facility. In addition, the personnel on base provided simulator time in the CH-53 cargo helicopters and
the new C-130J models based at Miramar. The chapter members found it very informative to speak with more women in aviation who have military experience, including
CH53E pilot Captain Kristin Elmlinger and crew chief Sgt. Anneke Bogardus, who shared
in the activities.
In April the MTSU Women in Aviation and the MTSU Flight Team arranged a visit Top: CH53E crew chief
from the Blue Angels flight demonstration team when the Blue Angels performed at Sgt. Anneke Bogardus and
the Smyrna Airshow. Lt. Cdr. Brantuas and his Crew Chiefs visited the MTSU campus Captain Kristin Elmlinger
to speak with aerospace students about flight training experiences. They met with the Center: MTSU Air Raiders
Women in Aviation, International and Flight Team members as well as Aerospace De- Chapter Outreach Chair Lauren Lipe
partment Chair Dr. Wayne Dornan. More than 150 aerospace students attended along and Laura Aiken
with MTSU faculty, and many participated in the question and answer session. Center: Tim Locke was the
The MTSU Women in Aviation also coordinated a visit from Robert “Hoot” Gibson, MTSU Chapter member who set
who spoke to students about his flying experience. Commander Gibson piloted the up the Miramar visit for the group,
Space Shuttle, competes in the Reno Air Race, and flew for Southwest Airlines among using contacts he made while
many other aviation accomplishments. He gave a presentation on his life, background, stationed there. Bottom: (left to
and space experience. From Murfreesboro, he established a new (unofficial) speed re- right) Bailey Ryan, crew chief AM2
cord in a Cassutt Racer with an average speed of 238.14 mph in a 100 km closed-circuit Mike Grimes, crew chief AME2 (AW)
course. After speaking, Gibson answered questions from aerospace students and fac- Michael Finch, Officer Lt. Cdr. Paul
ulty. He also gave his thoughts on what opportunities exist for women in the aviation Brantuas, and MTSU Flight Team
industry. ✈ Captain Carl Roby.
