What was the first combat ship to receive permanently assigned women?

The USS Eisenhower was the first combat ship to receive permanently assigned women, marking a significant milestone in the integration of women into naval operations. During the early 1990s, the U.S. Navy began to implement policies that allowed women to serve on combatant ships in more meaningful roles, which ultimately led to a change in how the Navy viewed the contributions of women in combat environments. The USS Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier, became a pioneering vessel by assigning female sailors to various positions onboard, thereby opening the door for future assignments on combat ships and contributing to the broader movement toward gender equality in the military. This decision not only demonstrated the capabilities of women in naval service but also set the foundation for subsequent policies regarding women's roles within the Navy.