Background and career
Khiuaz Qayrqyzy Dospanova (Russian: Хиуаз Каировна Доспанова, romanized: Khiuaz Kairovna Dospanova; Kazakh: Хиуаз Қайырқызы Доспанова; 15 May 1922 – 20 May 2008) was a Soviet pilot and navigator who served during World War II in the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, nicknamed the "Night Witches". In addition to being the first ethnically Kazakh woman officer in the Soviet Air Force, she was the only Kazakh woman to serve in the "Night Witches".
Despite sustaining multiple fractures in her legs in a ground collision in 1943, she returned to active duty and continued to participate in sorties against doctor's recommendations; she was eventually awarded the title Hero of Kazakhstan in 2004 for her perseverance, and Atyrau International Airport is named in her honor.

.jpg?width=480)
.jpg?width=480)
.jpg?width=480)
.jpg?width=480)