Oklahoman part of historic all-female combat mission

An Oklahoman flies into the US Navy history books.

The young woman is serving overseas and is now part of an elite group.

If you visit David and Eileen Ellison's Pawnee home you will see a proud showcase of their son and daughter.

"That was actually some kind of real cockpit," Eileen said while holding a picture of her son when he was young.

Ryan was the first to graduate from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

He's now a fighter pilot on the USS Enterprise.

"[Vice President] Cheney was the speaker when Ryan graduated," as she pointed to a photo.

His little sister, Ashley, graduated just a couple of years after him.

"She's a naval flight officer. She got her wings in October of 2010," Eileen said.

Ashley is currently in the Arabian sea onboard the USS Carl Vinson.

Last week her mom and dad got an e-mail which made them even more proud.

"When she was assigned to that squadron, they knew it was going to happen, they just didn't know when," David Ellison said.

That day came last week, Jan. 25th.

Ashley and four other women became the first all-female-crewed combat mission in an E-2C Hawkeye.    

Photos show the crew getting ready for their historic flight, checking out the plane, and taxing for take-off.

"They broke some ground there and hopefully it will encourage other young females to may go in the same direction."

That is something Commander Al Worthy says the Navy is hoping for.

"Naval aviation has made a dedicated effort in promoting aviation as a very viable avenue for service and success for women. Are we at the number that we'd like to have? No. Women constitute about 7% of naval aviators, pilots and [naval flight officers]. But we're at a point where we're making strides."

It is the first for such missions, but it won't be the last. In fact, the group is growing.

A sixth female member will soon join them and join the ranks of history.

Both Ellison siblings are expected to be back home in Oklahoma sometime in May or June.