I have a vague memory that a Black member of the Thunderbirds asked to be taken off the team.
To his credit he did not think his skill was up to the job and did not want to endanger his team mates.
There are only two things that I could think of which would result in her being taken off:
1) The entire flight team refusing to fly with her due to low confidence in her skills, or
2) An affair with one of her subordinates.
And if it were (1), I think there would have been several weeks of analysis and cajoling before her commander gave up.
I’m usually one to assume the worst like a lot of post after yours, but after reading yours and scrolling by, it kinda stuck with me... You could very well be right and she’s the one who backed out gracefully. I imagine theres a bit of a difference between dropping bombs and a negative G dive in a turn just a few feet away from your wing men.
I don’t care the “color”; I have immense respect for people that know their current limits (not saying he didn’t want to push them; I just respect he didn’t put other butt’s on the line).
Hope he found a solid billet to serve..