On Saturday from 6-9 p.m., Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot will present “Women, Wine & Wings,” an event celebrating the contributions of women in aviation past and present.

Nick Knobil, of Bowdoinham, Maine, will give a presentation about his great aunt, the late Nancy Harkness Love, and her aviation history and achievements. Knobil also is a pilot.

Nancy Harkness Love was appointed by the secretary of war to organize and lead the new Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in 1943, a position in which she was responsible for six ferry squadrons and over 300 women pilots, according to biographical information. She was the first woman to fly virtually all Army Air Force’s high performance combat aircraft including P-51s, P-38s and B-17s. She was inducted in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Three aircrew members from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base – Capt. Kylie Zenner and 1st Lts. Mariz Escobar and Nikki Sahm – will give a presentation about modern history of women in aviation. They will also talk about their careers in aviation.

Submitted Photo The late aviatrice Nancy Harkness Love is shown in a B-17 bomber. She was the first woman to fly the Army Air Forces high performance combat aircraft.

The event is open to everyone. Admission is $25 per person. Museum members with their membership cards will receive $5 off their admission. The admission includes hor d’oeuvres and refreshments. The first 70 people will receive a “Women, Wine & Wings” wine glass.

The museum will close for the season on Oct. 17. However, another community event, “Night at the Museum Hangar Dance,” is scheduled for Oct. 23.

The 7-11 p.m. event will include food, music, silent auction, dancing and reenactments of famous aviators of the past.

–

Fly-ND Career Expo set for Oct. 6 in Minot

A career in aviation doesn’t always mean being a pilot but many other jobs as well.

Fly-ND Career Expo, sponsored by the North Dakota Aviation Association, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot.

The event is free and geared toward helping those planning their future to take a look at a career in management, air traffic control, weather planning, flight operations, maintenance, engineering, unmanned aircraft systems, space studies and more.

Free registration is being taken at www.FLY-ND.com/career-expo. Scholarship opportunities are available.

Retired Maj. Gen. Al Joersz, a North Dakota native now living in Melissa, Texas, will be the featured speaker. Joersz grew up in Hazen and graduated from North Dakota State University, Fargo. His military career includes setting the world absolute speed record of 2,193 mph in the SR-71. A combat pilot, he logged in more than 450 combat hours in the F-105 during the Vietnam War. His military career included serving as the vice commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base. After the military, he worked for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ Skunk Works as its director for Strategy and Business Development.

Other speakers are Karen Ruthy, Delta A330 Check Airmen; Matt Gerada, a B-52 pilot with the 69th Bomb Squadron at Minot AFB; and Austin Greenheck, corporate pilot in Minot.