Shawna Kimbrell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shawna Kimbrell
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Kimbrell flying Iraq no-fly zone Operation Northern Watch 2001
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| Birth name | Shawna Rochelle Ng A Qui |
| Born | April 20, 1976 Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Air Force |
| Rank |  Lt. Colonel |
| Unit | 78th Attack Squadron, 926th Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars | Operation Southern Watch Operation Northern Watch Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards |  Air Medal Meritorious Service Medal Aerial Achievement Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal |
Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell, born on April 20, 1976, is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force. She made history as the first female African-American fighter pilot in the Air Force. She flew the F-16 Fighting Falcon on important missions during Operation Northern Watch.
Today, she is based at Nellis Air Force Base. She is part of the 78th Attack Squadron. There, she works as an MQ-9 Pilot and Mission Commander. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also teaches a course for Air Liaison Officers at Creech Air Force Base.
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Early Life and Education
Shawna Kimbrell was born in Lafayette, Indiana. She was the youngest of four children. Her parents, Eve and Dr. Norman Ng A Qui, moved to the United States. They became U.S. citizens before she was born.
Her family later moved to Parker, Colorado. When she was in fourth grade, Kimbrell decided what she wanted to be. She knew then that she wanted to become a fighter pilot.
She had her very first flying lesson when she was fourteen. After that, she joined the Civil Air Patrol. She also worked at air shows. These experiences helped her earn her private pilot's license.
After high school, Kimbrell attended the United States Air Force Academy. She graduated in 1998 with a degree in General Engineering. She then went to Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). She officially became a pilot in August 1999. Kimbrell also has a Master of Business Administration degree.
A Trailblazing Career in the Air Force
Kimbrell became an officer in 1998 after graduating from the Air Force Academy. She completed her pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. She earned her pilot wings in August 1999. Next, she trained on fighter jets at Randolph Air Force Base.
In August 2000, she finished her F-16 training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. This made her the first African-American female fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
Her first active assignment was with the 13th Fighter Squadron in Misawa, Japan. During this time, she was sent to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. She supported Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch. Her flights in Operation Northern Watch were historic. She was the first female pilot to fly combat missions for Misawa's 35th Fighter Wing. She also became the first African-American female pilot to use weapons in combat.
In July 2004, she completed the Joint Fire Control Course. She was then assigned to the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron. Later, she served as a Brigade Air Liaison Officer. This was during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2007, she moved to Aviano Air Base in Italy. There, she was the Assistant Director of Operations for the 555 Fighter Squadron.
In 2009, Kimbrell moved to the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. She managed the Air Liaison Officer Qualification Course. She also worked as an instructor. In October 2013, she left active duty. She then joined the Air Force Reserves.
Personal Life
Shawna Kimbrell is married to Travis Kimbrell. They have two sons named Kade and Jakeb.
Awards and Honors
- Air Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Aerial Achievement Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
