Decorated pilot speaks in Santa Clara - A-10 Warthog Gal

Mercury News ^ | 3/10/06 | Linda Goldston

[NormsRevenge]

Three years after Air Force Capt. Kim Campbell earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in Iraq, the San Jose native is earning points in a different arena: public speaking.

Campbell, 30, a fighter pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan, shared her story with the Tennessee Ernie Ford Air Force Association Chapter 361 at lunch Friday in Santa Clara and then spoke to a class at Piedmont Hills High School, her alma mater.

After receiving a standing ovation at the Biltmore Hotel after her luncheon speech, Campbell posed for photographs with fans and patiently signed every program brought to her. Her eyes lit up when it was young people wanting to know more.

--snip--

In an interview before her speeches on Friday, Campbell said she believes the United States is doing the right thing in Iraq.

``Nobody ever said this was going to be easy,'' she said. ``We believe in what we're doing.''

[NormsRevenge]

April 9, 2003

Pilot survives dramatic landing - A10 Warthog Lady Pilot from San Jose

keywords

warthog pilot

Capt. Campbell

[marmar]

I love the Warthog...............

[NormsRevenge]

Tough looking buggers, that's for sure. ;-)

[Cecily]

Her airplane sustained a few dings.

[Moonman62]

This thread is great. Pictures of my favorite plane and the pilot.

[Loud Mime]

What an aircraft. What a pilot. And darn cute too!

[Trajan88]

I love the smell of tank busting in the morning ;-)

[JRios1968]

What an aircraft. What a pilot. And darn cute too!

Yeah, and she too is cute!

[NormsRevenge]

From the thread in 2003,,

Large chunks of her plane shot away, the hydraulic control system dead, Air Force Capt. Kim Campbell pushed and pulled at a backup set of manual controls, struggling to keep the anti-tank aircraft from crashing as it limped away from an ambush over Baghdad.

--

.. by rights, she should have bailed after the damage the plane sustained, but opted to nurse her bird home.

[NormsRevenge]

Tennessee Ernie Ford AFA Chapter 361 Website

http://www.afa361.org/

[nutmeg]

ping! (Check out the photos in #4)

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Just think, the military thinkers were about to get rid of the A-10-A thunderbolt " Warthog " until Gulf War I came about and not only did it proved it's worth in battle, but it's great ability to sustain great damage and still fly home and get it's pilots back home to their families.
The " Warthog " was originally build and in operation to counter the Soviet's tanks in case they decided to invade eastern Europe.

[goresalooza]

She loves the smell of JP-4 in the morning! Well done, Capt Campbell!

AIM HIGH! US AIR FORCE GIRLPOWER!

[wildbill]

Doesn't the Army still maintain the position that women are to be kept out of combat roles--even though that's a little tough in an asymetric war which has no front lines to speak of.

How is flying a plane in combat any different (other than geographic location)from ground combat and why does this differentiation occur?

[marmar]

I'm a girl and I actually had the privilege of loading the weapons and gun sys on this AC......it is my favorite of all the AC I've loaded. Now I am a medic and have the privilege of loading precious cargo........Wounded Warriors..............

[NormsRevenge]

May the Good Lord bless you and keep you safe. Thank you for your service.

This pilot is a local gal, her Dad is on the city council and is running for Mayor. I wish them both and you Godspeed.

[marmar]

Thanx, Norm, I am a reservist now but I just got back from Ramstein AB, Germany and worked the hub there. I truly love my Warriors, they are my Heroes.......I pray every one of them that I personally touched, knows how I appreciated them.........PS...especially my Marines...

[TXnMA]

Mt daughter is a captain in the Army Medical Service Corps. She is also reserve now, but she says the same thing about our warriors -- "They are the greatest!"

Thank you for your service! No -- Bless you for your service!!!

[eyespysomething]

Hey SY- If you have a few minutes later, why not let BitG sign onto FR and see what pings he's gotten?

He knows the background story on this pilot.

[marmar]

Serving the troops is one of the greatest things I have ever done. It is truly humbling, and I love these Warriors, they are the hope of our future.