An airman is the first U.S. servicewoman to attend the Royal Thai Air Force's Air Command and Staff College, as the school begins to admit female officers for the first time in its history.
Maj. Jessica Padoemthontaweekij, an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force, joined the class Oct. 3. Previously, the country's Air Command and Staff College had been open to men only.
“I am excited about the opportunity to learn and integrate with the Royal Thai Air Force, and to be a part of a momentous step forward in the integration and representation of women leadership and diversity in this bilateral military partnership,” Padoemthontaweekij said in a press release Monday.
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The Royal Thai Air Force opened its eligibility policy to women “in an effort to promote diversity and inclusion,” an Air Force press release said Monday. Five women from the country's air force will join alongside Padoemthontaweekij. She was “one of the most qualified officers” for the opportunity, an Air Force spokesperson said.
“Her selection for this deliberate development was based on her strong demonstrated potential for future contribution to the Air Force,” a Department of the Air Force spokesperson told Military.com.
Thailand and the United States have had a formal military partnership agreement for more than 200 years. Since 1970, the Royal Thai Air…
