Young maiden transfixed with aircraft cockpit.

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A young maiden looks transfixed with the inside the cockpit of a HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft while she tours the 920th Rescue Wing with other Adventure Maiden's. The event allowed the group of mothers, daughters and fathers to understand that female Reservists serve in non-traditional roles in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)

Maidens walk the flightline

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., -- The Adventure Maidens walk towards the HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft. The group of mothers and fathers went on tour of the 920th Rescue Wing as a way to show how female Airman also serve in non-traditional jobs. The HC-130P/N is the only dedicated fixed-wing combat search and rescue platform in the Air Force inventory.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)

Parents of young maidens board refueling plane

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Parents of Adventure Maidens, a Y organization, board a HC-130 P/N King refueling aircraft as they tour the interior. The group of parents and children explored both the HC-130 and the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter while on a tour of the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)

Reservists show Adventure Maidens how to save a life

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Foce Reservist Technical Sgt. Xavier Coronel, aircrew life support technician, demonstrates how the equpiment used by pararescuemen here work, with the help of Emma Binder, a young Adventure Maiden. Sergeant Coronel was one of many Reservists who volunteered to demonstrate how pararescuemen are capable of doing their jobs successfully. This was one of a few demostrations the men and women with Adventure Maidens were able to witness on their tour of the 920th Rescue Wing here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)

Mothers, daughters find adventure at Patrick Air Force Base

Published April 3, 2011
By Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A bond between a mother and daughter starts before her daughter's eyes see light. This bond was made stronger when a group of adventurous girls visited the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing here to learn about its mission of saving lives.

The group is part of the Space Coast Expedition: Adventure Maidens Program . They gather together monthly for fun while strengthening bonds as mothers, daughters, friends, and sometimes fathers join in too. This month the young maidens, ages 6 to 8, visited Air Force Reserve Airmen here.

During their visit the maidens were introduced to female Airmen who served in non-traditional roles and were able to participate in various demonstrations. One demo included the wear of night vision goggles, another included trying out aviation life-support equipment and finally they were able to explore and HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft, and an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter - used to perform rescue.

The girls said a rescue story about Katrina the beagle was one of the highlights of their visit. The beagle was adopted by one of the Pave Hawk pilots from humanitarian relief efforts performed during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5 Hurricane which devastated New Orleans in the late summer of 2005.

"I didn't know that the base offered such a remarkable opportunity," said Ms. Teri Gelman, an Adventure-Maiden mother.

Even though much of the tour focused on the pararescueman mission, demonstrators reassured the young ladies that women are always pushing the boundaries.

"Women can be fighter pilots, aircrew, " reassured Captain Cathleen Snow, the public affairs officer of the 920th RQW.

According to its web site, the Adventure Maiden Program, sponsored by the Y (formally the YMCA) supports the idea of young ladies excelling.

"It's a very important program that helps mothers and daughters focus on their relationship," said Ms. Ingrid Matta, Adventure Maidens Leader.

"Ingrid is the heart of all of us," said Adventure-Maiden Mom, Ms. Susan Binder warm-heartedly.

Through the Adventure Maidens she's made friends with people she wouldn't even think of, including her neighbor, who she joked she hadn't spoken to prior to joining the maidens.

Ms. Matta believes in the strengthening relationship with mother, daughter through activities, and being feminine.

"My female role model is Queen Elizabeth I," she said proudly.

Ms. Matta studied the late queen and said she was impressed with her ability to lead and retain her femininity.

However, the younger generation does not seem to go that far in history to find a role model.

"My role model is Talyor Swift," said self-proclaimed six-and-a-half- year-old Emma Binder. "I want to be a country singer."

"I want the young ladies to get a sense of infinite possibilities," she said Matta.

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