jacqueline van ovost was a pioneer in a cargo plane. this mammoth aircraft, one of the very first test pilots. in becoming a test pilot she also achieved her dream of flying fighter aircraft, even though women were still barred from flying in combat. undeterred, she would later fly a tanker in combat over the skies of iraq and i get -- afghanistan, refueling numerous aircraft in support of the joint force. each in their own way has been a trailblazer, even if that was not the goal. each in their own way, like you mr. president and madame vice president, has led by example. they still do. as general van ovost so eloquently put it not long ago, it is in pertinent -- important to have first and only. your nominations ensure all americans, women and men alike, will see these two special people continue to lead at the highest levels. they will see them continue to defend this nation and they will see, as you like to say, the power of their example. now, it is my great pleasure to introduce another great leader, the vice president of the unit

general van ovost currently is overseas air mobility command, approximately 107,000 airmen and 1,100anitarian assistance to go everywhere in the world if need be. from flying water to texas after the recent storms, to ensuring our wounded warriors are evacuated for medical care from anywhere in the world, she gets it done. lieutenant general richardson's parents were proud patriots. it must have rubbed off because lieutenant general richardson, her brother and sister all joined the army. her father encouraged her to join rotc in college, even though that meant commuting to a different school. lieutenant general richardson joined the army aviation branch, women were banned from flying attack helicopters. she flew in support of combat missions and conducting lift operations of so-called uey and the blackhawks. now, lieutenant general richardson overseas military ground responses here in north america, all over the last year that meant getting military medical personnel deployed to help in our response to this pandemic. more than 4,500 military medical personnel deployed in hospitals ac

i was interested, sort of a geek when it came to engineering. >> reporter: van ovost graduated from theh list i wrote down every u.s. fighter that we had and i made them tell me no which they did then i got an the airplane that i knew was going to ensure that if i did well, i could become a test pilot in our air force. as a test pilot, i'd be able to fly those fighters >> reporter: which is exactly what she did van ovost became a test pilot. for the next 30 plus years, she climbed the ranks and eventually commanded at nearly every level of leadership in the air force she's logged more than 4,000 hours of flight time in more than 30 different aircraft today, she runs the air force's air mobility command i'm getting the feeling it's not a good idea to tell you no, you can't do that. >> i really do try to explain to people why it is not a good idea to say no to me. you know, hey, that's why doors were closed, now doors are open. when we first opened combat aviation to women, i walked into the flight room, i was accepted because the law now said that women could fly in combat. but when i sa

general van ovost is a first generation american.s that owned a flying operation. she loved the freedom of flight. as a teenager, flew herself to see sally ride lift off as the first woman in space. 16 years old. goes down to see sally ride. she said he was several thousand feet watching from a distance. women were band from flying combat missions when the general joined the force. so she focused on becoming a test pilot. instead of learning to fly one plane, she learned to flied everything, including air force 2 when i was vice president. general van ovost is overseas, air mobility command, approximately 107,000 air american and 1,100 planes in the air power and humanitarian assistance to go everywhere in the world that need be. from flying water to texas after the recent storms to ensuring our wounded warriors are evacuated from medical care from anywhere in the world, she gets it done. lieutenant general richardson's parents were proud patriots and must have rubbed off. lieutenant general richardson joined the army. her father enc

transitions™ >>> general van ovost and lieutenant general richardson have been tested under the mostnd i have full confidence in them to address the complex threats we face, to help lead our troops, and to keep our nation safe. >> last thing before we go tonight, first woman vice president in our nation's history on this international women's day presiding along with the president at promotion announcement for two senior women in pentagon leadership, jacqueline van ovost of the u.s. air force, veteran pilot, over 4,000 cockpit hours. served in afghanistan and gulf, recipient of the bronze star, being promoted to head the u.s. transportation command. note the four stars on her shoulders. we have 43 four star generals or admirals in all the u.s. military. she is only woman. and richardson is going to be heading southern command. blackhawk pilot by training, bronze star recipient, deployed in '03 with 101st airborne, and she will receive her fourth star. importantly promotions for two women were ready months ago at pentagon, both women having been found best qualified for new roles but

general jack vin van ovost of the u.s. air force. she is a veteran pilot.r 4,000 cockpit hours in different types of aircraft. basically if they built it she can fly it. served in afghanistan and gulf, recipient of the bronze star, she is being promoted to head the entire u.s. transportation command. please note the four stars on her shoulders. we have 43 four-star generals or admirals in all of the u.s. military. she is the only woman. then there's general laura richardson. the three-star commander of u.s. army north. she's being promoted to head the southern command. she's a blackhawk helicopter pilot by training. also a bronze star recipient. deployed to iraq in '03 with the 101st airborne. she and her his-hand v band made history as the only husband and wife combat battalion commanders in the history of the army. she will now receive her fourth star. importantly, the promotions for these two women were ready months ago at the pentagon. both women having been found to be the best qualified for their new roles. but the former defense secretary under trump

air force general jacqueline van ovost selected to head u.s.nsportation command and army lieutenant general laura richardson picked to head u.s. southern command. the president saying late today young women beginning their military career should know, quote, no door will be closed to them. >>> when we come back tonight, those messages from so many moms watching here tonight. there's so many women that have gone before me and have taken to the sky. do you think there is a need for women in space? well, is there a need for men in space? all these women have been my role models and my inspiration, and i couldn't be here today without them. ♪ women bring an energy to rap that did not exist before. ♪ and the grammy goes to... ...cardi b! who knows how many others could've been the first if they'd had the chance to try. pattern beauty is launching. i'm the first person in my family to start a business. we can show girls that anything is possible. it doesn't matter what they look like or where they come from, they can change the world. ♪ ok everyone,