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Loadmaster Repeats History During All-Female Final Flight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zoe M. Wockenfuss
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. – An all-female C-17 Globemaster III crew performed a local flight March 5, 2018, in honor of Senior Master Sgt. Lori Tascione’s final flight before retirement at Dover AFB.

Maj. Giovanna Espegio, Capt. Taylor Stephens, 1st Lt. Hannah Wiesneski, Senior Master Sgt. Lori Tascione, Staff Sgt. Cassandra LaVoie, Senior Airman Daneile Belovarac, Senior Airman Jasmene Barnes, Airman 1st Class Casey McCune and Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Eggleston, all from the 3rd Airlift Squadron, made up the crew for the flight.

This event coincides with Women’s History Month in recognizing and honoring all the hard work and contributions women have made in the military past and present.

“Senior Master Sgt. Tascione asked if I was available and I, of course, said yes,” said LaVoie, 3rd AS loadmaster. “Tascione bolsters female recognition within the aircrew world and has been instilling those values in the rest of us before she leaves; encouraging us to step up.

“Out of the three years that I have flown, I can count on one hand how many times I have had the opportunity to fly with other female pilots/loadmasters. Many females get out after their first enlistment, so it is hard to find higher ranking female role models to look up to and seek advice from.”

Tascione was a member of the first all-female C-17 crew that flew July 24, 2007. Women like her are helping to pave the way for future female Airmen who dream of being in the aviation career field.

“All the women in the crew are professional and are great at their jobs,” said Tascione, 3rd Airlift Squadron superintendent. “I’m just looking to the future to when there will be more females in the aviation career field, and having an all-female crew will be the norm not the anomaly.”

Tascione joined the U.S. Air Force May 12, 1992, and will retire May 31, 2018. Over the years and on several different aircraft, Tascione has logged approximately 5,180 flight hours.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t because of your gender,” said Tascione about her experience as a female service member. “And don’t let your gender be the reason you say you can’t.”