Air Force pioneer dies Published July 29, 2003 SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Retired Maj. Gen. Norma E. Brown, the Air Force's first female wing commander, died July 22. She was 77.The Madison, Fla., native entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant in December 1951. Her first assignment was as chief of military personnel for Flight Service headquarters in Washington, D.C.She spent much of her career in the Air Force Security Service working in a series of personnel assignments. In December 1974, she became the first woman to command an Air Force wing when she assumed command of the 6940th Security Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Later she became deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel for the Air Force Logistics Command. She retired Aug. 1, 1982, as the commander of Chanute Technical Training Center, Chanute AFB, Ill.Following her retirement, she settled in Leon Springs, Texas, just north of here. Among her military decorations were the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. Upon retirement, she became the first woman inducted into the Order of the Sword, an honor bestowed by Air Force noncommissioned officers to commissioned officers and civilian leaders who have made significant contributions to the enlisted corps.