Aspin flies to women's aid

The United States Defense Secretary, Les Aspin, will order the military this week to end its ban on female pilots being assigned to combat units, according to defence officials, Reuter reports from Washington. He will also ask Congress to drop a prohibition on women serving in warships and tell the Navy to study the issue, the officials added. Women in the US military are allowed to fly helicopters and fighter jets, but cannot serve in combat units. Mr Aspin's moves, expected today, are in keeping with President Clinton's campaign promise last year to drop barriers against expanded roles for women in the military.