Captain Rhea McFarland made history as the first Black woman in U.S. Air Force history to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, the nation’s highest award for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.
As a C-17 pilot stationed at Joint Base Charleston, McFarland played a crucial role in the Kabul airlift, flying two missions during one of the largest evacuation operations in history. Her crew also piloted the second-to-last aircraft to depart, evacuating the final soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division and other units securing the airport.
McFarland’s courage and skill under pressure exemplify the highest standards of military aviation and continue to inspire future aviators.
Sources:
Air Force Flight Nurse Who Delivered Baby on C-17 Among 51 Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2003169341/
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