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Buehn has flown a number of aircraft in the Air Force, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, T-38C Talon and the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node. She currently flies the T-38A Talon in an adversary air role to help F-22 Raptor pilots train for combat. She said she loves the opportunity to challenge outdated stereotypes and inspire younger generations, including her own children.
“My kids used to think that all parents were pilots since my husband is a pilot too,” she said. “They’d meet [other parents] and say ‘what airplane do you fly?’ It was the coolest thing that my kids believed that anyone could be a pilot.”
Buehn’s interest in flight came in part from her love of a challenge and conquering things other people said were too difficult.
“My first true interest and desire in becoming a pilot began while I was at the United States Air Force Academy,” she said. “There were a few really unique and interesting aviation programs in which I was able to participate.”
The expectation at the Academy is to develop pilots, but she said the real excitement came from earning the chance to attend the training program she wanted most - the Euro-NATO Joint-Jet Pilot Training, where NATO allies send their top candidates to develop them into fighter pilots.
“One of the neatest aspects of that program is that you have representatives from other countries all together in the same class,” she said. “They’ve proven their worth to represent their nation in a pilot training program that will serve throughout their professional aviation career.”
Buehn said being a part of this rigorous pilot training program further proved to her that tenacity, drive, determination and true passion were the main factors that contributed to success. It also showed her that the airplane is truly the greatest equalizer -- gender, race or background -- none of those things matter in the cockpit.
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2018 11:27 |
| Category: | Package |
| Video ID: | 603568 |
| VIRIN: | 180326-F-GX122-001 |
| Filename: | DOD_105685435 |
| Length: | 00:01:42 |
| Location: | LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Downloads: | 69 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 69 |
This work, Fighter pilot takes inspiration to new heights, by MSgt Natasha Stannard, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
