Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell

Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell (born April 20, 1976; Ng A Qui) is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force, and the first female African-American fighter pilot in the history of that service. She flew the F-16 Fighting Falcon during combat missions in Operation Northern Watch. She is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base where she is a member of the 78th Attack Squadron and serves as an MQ-9 Pilot and Mission Commander.

She currently resides in Colorado, and works as a Certified Flight Instructor. Kimbrell also holds a Master of Business Administration from Touro University.

Career Kimbrell received her commission in 1998 after graduating from the USAF Academy, later she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB (Val Verde County, Texas) and was awarded her pilot wings in August 1999. She then completed Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training at Randolph AFB (Bexar County, Texas) in November 1999. In August 2000, she graduated from her initial F-16 training at Luke AFB (Maricopa County, Arizona) becoming the first African American female fighter pilot in the USAF.

In July 2004, she graduated from the Joint Fire Control Course and was assigned to the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron. Later she deployed as the 2nd Brigade Air Liaison Officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2007, she was assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano AB Italy where she served as Assistant Director of Operations for the 555 Fighter Squadron.

Personal life Kimbrell is married to Travis Kimbrell and the couple have two sons, Kade and Jakeb.

Awards and decorations Air Medal with one device Meritorious Service Medal Aerial Achievement Medal Air Force Commendation Medal with one device Army Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal