Air Force women mark accomplishments Published March 23, 2009 By Master Sgt. Michael Rieger Jr. 81st Training Wing Equal Opportunity Office KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISS. -- Since 1980, women have not only reached record proportions in all of the military services but have also made important breakthroughs in most of the services and in all of the service academies. Here are some facts and "firsts" about women in the Air Force. As of Dec 31, 63,633 women are serving in the Air Force on active duty, which is 19.6 percent of the force, according to statistics from the Air Force Personnel Center. Currently, 97 percent of the Air Force's jobs are open to women. They are prohibited by statute from serving in the combat control and pararescue career fields, along with aircraft engaged in a combat mission. Some of Air Force's important "firsts", courtesy of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation: 1976 -- First women enter pilot training. 1980 -- The first 97 women graduate from the Air Force Academy. 1986 -- Air Force women served aboard the KC-10 and KC-135 aircraft involved in the U.S. attack on Libya -- four co-pilots, one back-up pilot and a mission planner. Peacekeeper and Titan missile positions were opened to women, as were positions as launch control officers for Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. 1986 -- Terrie Ann MacLaughlin was the first woman to graduate at the top of her class at the Air Force Academy. 1993 -- Maj. Susan Helms, flying aboard space shuttle Endeavour, becomes the first U.S. military woman in space. 1994 -- 2nd Lt. Jeannie Flynn, the first female selected for Air Force combat pilot training, completes F-15E training. 2000 -- Betty Mullis became the first female pilot to attain the rank of brigadier general. She retired as a major general. 2005 -- Capt Nicole Malachowski was first women to be selected to fly as part of the Air Force Thunderbirds.