Flaps,
I regret to say Sir, you are talking utter tripe!!
'These ladies have cleared numerous hurdles' - yeah right, most of them have made it by fluttering their eye lashes and using their other female charms. Most of those who fell at the hurdles, were given a big leg-up to get over the hurdles.
'In today's "equal opportunities" air force there are still enough old dinosaurs that will do everything they can to try to block the progress of females in the more "ops" orientated branches' - simply utter tosh! They, quite frankly, are not up to it! just look at the history of female FCs on the E-3 fleet, its terrible. At best, they are only fair, but many are simply appalling.
'The ladies that make it to their "front line" are dedicated and commited' - yes, thats partly correct. They are somewhat dedicated at getting the flying pay, and many of them should be commited!
My only experience with female controllers has been on the 'front line' on both E-3D sqns as well as at GK, (wher they are considerably better I regret to say) Our female FCs are generally arrogant, and many simply do not fit in with the modern aircrew way of life. They hate getting up early in the morning, and insist on telling every body that. They don't understand working weekends and unsociable hours, and absolutelyhate it when they deploy anywhere that dosn't have a 4* hotel to live in (they don't do tents!)
Of course there is the odd one or two who are great, and are an absolute pleasure to be with a fly with. But sadly, they are very few and far between.
Sorry girls, stick to a hole in the ground!
Kind regards
TSM