Retired female two-star General highlights B21 presentation

RAPID CITY, S.D. — One in five Air Force jobs belongs to a woman, and with the B-21 landing at Ellsworth, locals are hoping that the number changes.

As the arrival of the B-21 Raider looms, there’s no question as to what it will bring for local businesses – 1,500 new servicemen and women, along with their families.

Local leaders discussed those impacts at the Alex Johnson in Rapid City on Thursday.

Retired General Kathryn Johnson spoke at the event and showed what women can do in our military.

“Increasing every day, increasing every day, the number of young women who are joining us and like I said, the opportunities are endless,” Johnson said. “You could fly the B-21.”

Johnson has served 35 years in the military.

“To have someone reach the level that General Johnson did is a great demonstration for other women and that you can rise to the top level of the military,” said Scott Landguth, the Executive Director of the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority.

An advocate that loves to talk to kids about the opportunity that serving the country brings, Johnson’s message to women is simple – break barriers.

“They can do anything that their heart desires and that was not the case when I first came in, so I’m excited about that and I’m proud of our Air Force for being trailblazers and having women break those glass ceilings,” Johnson said.

A push towards calling more women to serve and go beyond.