Stars and Stripes reports that “although women comprise about 20 percent of the Air Force, the service needs to increase that ratio through better recruitment and retention policies and by opening combat-related fields to women, the Air Force’s top leader said Monday.”  

“’Of all the military services, we have the highest proportion of women as compared to the others,’ Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told a news conference that also included Gen. Lori Robinson, who became the first woman to lead an Air Force major component command when she assumed command of Pacific Air Forces last month.”  

“Hawaii was James’ first stop on a 10-day tour of Pacific bases that will take her to Guam, Japan, South Korea and Alaska.”