Women flying high as the Abbotsford International Airshow opens

ABBOTSFORD — When one of Canada’s premier airshows opens this afternoon at the Abbotsford airport, the spotlight will be shining directly on the accomplishments of women who play an integral part in aviation.

Major Kristin “Beo” Wolfe is the commander and pilot of the United States Air Force F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team. She’s logged more than 1,000 flight hours since entering the military in 2011.

Wolfe’s father was a pilot in the Air Force. She recalls flying with him once during her elementary school years. But her thirst for flying never set in her college years. “The instructor walked us through basic things like holding altitude, and I remember that while the other students were getting airsick, I thought it was fun and something I could see myself doing. I was an adrenaline junkie.”

Among Wolfe’s career highlights is being part of an all-women flyover at the 2022 Super Bowl in celebration of the 75-year anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. She takes special pride in being the first woman to be named a F-35 Demo team pilot. “We’re (women) super underrepresented in aviation in general at only about 7 percent, with military aviation even lower at 3 or 4 percent total,” said Wolfe. “I think it’s important for kids and adults to get educated about seeing a face in aviation that looks like them. With every generation, you can feel a little bit more progress, and it’s very rewarding.”