1993. Secretary   of   Defense   lifted   the   ban   on combat flights for women and allows assignments on combat   vessels.   U.S.   Naval   surface   and   air   forces maintain  a  vigilant  presence  in  the  Persian  Gulf  in support the United Nations Security Counsels "No-Fly" zone over Iraq. 1994.   The  first  of  many  "female"  naval  aviators successfully pass fleet carrier qualifications in combat aircraft. The USS Eisenhower becomes the first combat ship to receive permanently assigned women. 1995.   The   first   female   Naval   Aviator   goes   into space,    and    the    F-117A Stealth fighter/bomber    is operational.    The    entire    U.S.    Armed    Services    has regionalized and downsized, and U.S. forces maintain support for operations in Bosnia and other areas of the world.  New  technology  and  the  national  interest  will determine the future of the Navy, and Naval Aviation will always have a major role. Q1-2. The   Navy   purchased   its   first   aircraft   from what company on what date? Q1-3. Who  was  the  first  Naval  Aviator  to  fly  into space? Q1-4. What year did the Secretary of Defense lift the band allowing women into combat roles? THE AIRMAN RATE LEARNING    OBJECTIVES:    Identify    the growth of the Airman rate from the beginning of   the   rate   to   the   present   day.   Identify   the aviation    general    ratings    and    those    general ratings     that     include     service     ratings,     and recognize the duties of these ratings. Recognize    the    general    principles    of    good leadership as they apply to the Airman. During  the  early  years  of  naval  aviation,  enlisted personnel   came   from   similar   surface   ratings   in   the Navy. The first requirement was for aircraft mechanics. Personnel came from the Machinist's Mate rating and became Machinist's Mate (Aviation). Later, this rating became the Aviation Machinist's Mate (AMM) rating. Special training was necessary during World War II.   These   specialties   became   part   of   a   basic   rating. There were several specialties that became part of the Aviation Machinist's Mate (AMM) rating. In 1948, there was a major change in the aviation rating structure. The Airman rate came into being. The titles and/or initials of some aviation ratings changed. For  example,  the  initials  for  the  Aviation  Machinist's Mate rating changed from AMM to AD. The specialties moved to the basic AD rating or other basic ratings. The letter D in the Aviation Machinist's Mate initials (AD) avoids confusion with the Aviation Structural Mechanic  (AM).  Personnel  in  the  AMMC,  AMMF, AMMP, and AMMT specialties became ADs. The AMMHs became a part of the Aviation Struc- tural Mechanic (AM) rating. The AMMIs became a part of  the  Aviation  Electrician's  Mate  (AE)  rating.  Many other titles and changes to ratings occurred at that time. New ratings were established after 1948. They are the  Aviation  Maintenance  Administrationman,  Avia- tion Support Equipment Technician, Aviation Antisub- marine Warfare Operator, and Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare  Technician.  In  1958,  additional  E-8  and  E-9 paygrades (senior and master chief) were established. During this period, the title of the Airman rate has not changed. The advancement of aviation has caused the requirements of the rate to change. The requirements will continue to change in the future. You can find the requirements for all ratings in the  Manual of Navy Enlisted Manpower and Personnel Classifications and Occupational Standards, NAVPERS 18068. AVIATION RATINGS A basic knowledge of the duties and skills of the Airman     rate     is     necessary.     You     can     obtain     this knowledge either at a service school or by experience and self-study. The   general  aviation  ratings   identify  personnel from paygrades E-4 through E-9. Exceptions do exist where   a   general   rating   begins   and/or   ends   at   other paygrades. An example of a general rating that does not have any service ratings is the Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) rating. An example of a general rating that begins at paygrade E-6 instead of E-4 is the Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS) rating. The   aviation  service  ratings,  subdivisions  of  a general rating, require specialized training within that general rating. For example, the Aviation Boatswain's Mate   (AB)   rating   has   three   service   ratings   (ABE) (ABF) and (ABH). The Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM)  rating  has  three  service  ratings  (AME)  (AMH) and  (AMS).  These  service  ratings  begin  at  paygrade E-4. The  aviation  ratings  career  progression  paths  are shown in figure 1-4. 1-6