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