Brig. Gen. Margaret Woodward has been tapped to take command of 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) at Ramstein AB, Germany. She has been vice commander of 18th Air Force at Scott AFB, Ill., since January 2009. If the Senate approves her nomination, she’ll replace Maj. Gen. Ronald Ladnier, who had headed 17th AF since October 2008 and is set to retire officially on Sept. 1 after 33 years of uniformed service. Woodward entered the Air Force in 1983. She is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours in KC-135 tankers, trainer platforms, and C-37A and C-40B passenger transports. (Pentagon release)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.