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I was a USAF controller for 20 years. I saw these FAA minority hiring programs back in the 70s. I did not like it then, I don’t like it now, but that is the kind of government we have.

Marine ATC here, late 70's early 80's. We had some established black Marine Controllers (E-5/E-6)at the time. Noticed a sudden influx of newbies just out of A-school that were black. Didn't think anything of it.

MCAS Yuma was non-radar (except GCA), at the time and, by far, the busiest air station in the USMC or USN. Very difficult to get Facility rated there (manual approach, everything in your head)and a lot get canned. One of our brand new black L/Cpls was struggling and was on the verge of getting bounced out to crash crew. Of course, he tried to play the race card. First time I had ever experienced that. This is on crew, up in the Tower (I was Tower Supervisor that day) and on watch.

Well, before I could even open my mouth, S/SGT JJ Thrasher, black Marine and damn fine Controller, just jumped down his ass with both feet and I mean hard. He brow beat this guy, drill instructor style, right down the tower steps (very tall) and into the OICs office. The look of absolute confused terror was priceless. I, mostly, succeeded in suppressing a laugh. Mostly. We got ol' JJ drunk that night at the club.

That was the last we saw of him until he showed up in crash crew two weeks later.