My name is Phyllis Manley and I am a US Air Force Veteran. I served from 1974-1978 as an Aircraft Mechanic on the KC-I35’s.

I was one of the first women mechanics to service KC-135s on KI Sawyer AFB in Upper Peninsula Michigan(UP). While in the UP I met my husband Doug and our three sons, Chris, Tim and Richard were born there (all followed in our footsteps and joined the Air Force).

I rejoined from 1980-1984 where I worked for the Director of Operations in a vault and typed up flight plans. I am on the Buckeye State Council as the Women’s Liaison for women veterans.

My main purpose is to get information out to all the women veterans.

Did you know that you are part of one of the fastest growing groups in the Veteran community? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has programs specifically designed to address the unique health requirements for women.

Women Veterans Health Care works to ensure that all eligible women veterans requesting care receive:

• Comprehensive primary care by a proficient and interested primary care provider

• Privacy, safety, dignity and sensitivity to gender-specific needs

• State-of-the-art health care equipment and technology

• High-quality preventive and clinical care, equal to that provided to male veterans.

The VA also has established the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636). The call center staff provides women veterans, their families, and caregivers information and assistance about the VA services and resources. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST.

My next columns will focus on female veterans and PTSD.