

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. —
As the nation celebrates National Women’s History Month through March, Group Offutt honors female aviators who stand out amongst their peers.


Capt. Taylor Whitney Aegerter, the space flight commander for the 2nd Climate Squadron, 557th Climate Wing, has been in the Air Force for seven years.


“The [flight’s] “The Space Operations Center (VOC) operates about the clock to give forecasts, warnings and assessments of the influence on DoD gear and personnel triggered by events in the space atmosphere,” mentioned Whitney Aegerter. “For instance, the northern lights or aurora borealis is one particular preferred phenomenon that we predict primarily based on solar activity. The lights are good to appear at, but they can also disrupt the military’s higher-frequency communications.”


In addition to her bachelor’s degree in meteorology from the University of Nebraska, Whitney Aegerter holds a master’s degree in solar and space science from the Aerospace Institute of Technologies. These degree applications supplied her with the important background in science, technologies, engineering and mathematics to correctly execute the space climate mission in assistance of the whole Division of Defense.


“At Space VOC, we largely appear at the sun due to the fact it causes most of the impacts we see on and about Earth,” Whitney Aegerter mentioned. “The sun has an 11-year cycle of activity, and we are presently reaching maximum. This implies that in the subsequent couple of years we will have much more sunspots and linked flares causing a important influence on military missions.


Whitney Agerter mentioned she and her group of 40 officers, military and civilian aviators also monitor meteors and radiation from outdoors our solar program that could trigger impacts.


“A single of the most effective components of my job is operating with an awesome group of devoted folks in pursuit of a mission,” mentioned Whitney Aegerter. “Collectively we get along effectively and are as a result much more effective when it comes to monitoring space climate.” I enjoy messing about with them through potent solar flares!”


Possessing a person to bond with in your unit can make operate a lot much more enjoyable as friendships are formed and possibilities to inspire and motivate every single other by means of life’s challenging occasions.


“It really is awesome to see girls forging new paths in scientific fields like mine,” mentioned Whitney Aegerter. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my profession to have several female mentors on each and every assignment – in some cases even defying the statistics!”


This involves right here at Offutt AFB exactly where Commander Whitney Aergerter is Lt. Col. Janelle Jenniges, who has a PhD in space physics.


When STEM-connected profession fields are presently heavily dominated by guys, scientists like Whitney Aegerter continue to blaze a trail for future generations.


“My largest piece of tips is to hold following what ever excites and empowers you, and anytime you get the possibility, turn about and support the awesome folks coming up behind you,” Whitney Aegerter mentioned. “There are so lots of of us who would not be exactly where we are currently if it weren’t for the initial girls who came just before us.” I am grateful for their efforts and the examples they set!”