How "Killer Chick" Got Her Battle-Damaged A-10 Home 

Ma'am we met on the ramp at the Jab on 7 April when you brought a burning A-10 back to the base You are a BEAST with the IRON fist! What a fantastic experience and the site of the totaled A/C doing a front gear high (wheelie) down the entire runway, awesome. You later that day hand delivered my missle fire report to my office in the MSA at PGM. I am always amazed when I think about that day, Thank you for your fantastic service and being a super role model for our up- and- coming super troopers Ret. USAF Msgt. Hart

I met her husband, Col. Campbell when my group inprocessed to Kandahar in 2014. He introduced himself as the AF Commander there and joked “you’ve never heard of me but you’ve probably heard about my wife.” I’m pretty sure there was more than a touch of pride in that statement.

Badass pilot doesn’t begin to describe this young lady. As a troop on the ground in 2004 in Iraq, thank you so much. The A-10 is truly the Infantryman’s Angel.

SUCH modesty, intelligence, bravery and skill . . . her family has SO much to be proud of!! Congratulations KC on a great career!!

My father-in-law was a key design engineer with the AF who was the structures engineer for the A10. One of the things he insisted upon was making sure that the fly by wire system was usable by a pilot with a woman's upper body strength, even though women were not allowed to fly fighters back in the 70's. After he had a stroke late in life we became aware of Col Campbell's story and made contact with her. She was gracious enough to send a signed picture of her with an A10 for my father-in-law. He has since passed but I really appreciate her reaching out to him the way she did.

As an F-15/A-10 Crewchief for 22 years I've met some great individuals. Col Campbell is definitely one of them as she's one of the most down-to-earth and level headed pilots I've had the privilege to work with. Col. Campbell displayed great airmanship under pressure. I retired as a Dragon there at DM and look back on those years fondly. Great to see the USAF represented IN PERSON on one of my favorite channels! Thanks Ward!

KC is an amazing woman, mother, wife, airman, and leader! We need more like her!

Thanks so much Mooch for the great interview with KC. As a female maintainer, it’s really encouraging to hear from a female fight pilot. - F-16 Crew Chief (Ret.)

KC is a legend! I had the privilege of having Col Campbell as an instructor at the Air Force Academy when her husband was serving as the deputy Commandant. I remember her bringing a piece of that plane to class, and hearing her story never gets old. She is an extremely humble individual and a hero of mine, so much so that I asked her to commission me! She agreed and I had the great honor of having this icon swear me in as a second lieutenant. She and her husband are both badasses!

I was a Marine Sergeant Aviation Ordnanceman. I may have been Q/A, at the time. She may not remember, but I saw her at the end of the runway in Al Jaber in Kuwait. I was like, is that a female A-10 pilot!? She was probably like, what the hell is he staring at? Lol. She was waiting to get clearance to enter the runway. Fully loaded. I must have had the biggest smile, cause that motivated the heck out of me. I gave her a salute and then a thumbs up with a whoop-whoop in the air. She gave a salute and a smile that lit up the runway. I was like, yeah. Let's kick some ass! She gave a fist pump. Man, we were so motivated. I will never forget that day. I always wondered who that pilot was and what her combat experience was. I'm glad she made it back safely. Oorahh!

I was stationed at Moody AFB and was actually deployed with Col. Campbell when her A-10 got lit up. I worked support on all aircraft and seeing her A-10 in person, was kind of in awe because of how much damage it had taken. Almost instantly, her exploits were swirling around base and it actually boosted morale. Never met her personally but seeing her A-10 it was just insane. While I had the pleasure of working with F-16's and C-130's, the A-10 was by far my favorite.

What a credit to the Air Force, the AF Academy, and the USA. Smart, skilled, well spoken, focused, humble.

My crash recovery supervisor, team and I were trying to shoo everyone away from the aircraft after we dragged the airframe off the runway and parked it under the sun shade, the flares weren’t safetied yet and it was still dripping jp8 and 5606. I was standing just off to Col. Campbell right, out of the frame with her next to the battle damage, I imagine she was still collecting her thoughts and explaining what happened to a multitude of gawkers. Ward I do like your interviews keep up the excellence.

I was there when you landed that piece of swiss cheese and was so honored to be there on the base for your historic and such a courageous landing. Just seeing you bring that wounded bird in was a feat in itself and then hearing the debrief was even more incredible. It was an honor to server with you on the same base and during the same time. The A-10, will always be a workhorse of the Air Force and should keep flying until the last one is used in combat. KC, you are a respected pilot in the Air Force and you will go down in history for bringing that A-10 from your mission now and forever. God Speed in all you do and the best to you all!!!!

Theres something so captivating when someone is completely knowledgeable in their (air)craft. Indescribably awesome.

My father was the lead engineer of the control systems on the A10 for Fairchild Republic. The control stick(that "KC" has and everything it did was my dads design. The redundant systems and the integrity of the pilot "bathtub" and how the controls were able to work without losing the integrity of the tub was his designs as well. To know these planes have outlasted the people who designed them is a testament to the product that was built. I have so many story's of things dad built with nothing on hand. Col. Campbell's story is one I have heard, and I know there are so many others. Brrrrrrrrrappppp

As an Infantrymen A10 pilots are legends. As a father of a little girl who is 9 years old I have shown her videos about this women and now she wants to be a pilot because of her story. She is a great role model for our young daughters.

I've said it many times when asked that the A-10 saved my butt many times both in Iraq and Afghanistan. I've seen first hand what these pilots are capable of and the fear they strike in our enemies. I was on the ground in Iraq in 2003 for the initial push and our task force was engaged by a heavy enemy force of IRG near the outskirts of Baghdad. Our FAC called in air support initially to our Army Apache squadron that was assigned to us but there was a 2 ship A-10 closer and they offered to respond. The amount of damage they were able to inflict on the enemy was devastating. The psychological effect on the enemy was overwhelming. I remember watching from cover some 500 meters away from the contact point, which sounds far enough away but really isnt, the 30MM rounds impacting the enemies entrenched positions with catastrophic effect. It only took 2 passes for the A-10 to eliminate the threat and disperse the remaining enemy force. A total sense of pride and endurance came over me as I realized the true power and respect close air support is. It filled all of us with the necessary resolve to push forward in a very kinetic environment knowing these pilots had our back. I watched in later deployments that sometimes just the mear presence of the A-10 swooping overhead was enough to disperse the enemy and kill their will to fight. I will never forget these pilots for saving all of our lives and for reducing the level of casualties and wounded we no doubt would have sustained without their help.

I served 27 years in the Air Force with over 20 years working the A-10 as a Jet Engine Mechanic. I got to work flight line, phase and in shop overhaul. I loved that plane. Nobody has anything like it.

KC... What an amazing lady! As a Linebacker survivor (Vietnam) in a B-52D, I've got nothing but respect for her background, experiences, intelligence, and skills. Never knew what the 30mm shells looked like...

Friend of mine is a USAF ground based TAC. He would constantly mention how every time he heard mumblings about A-10 retirement he would just say, nope, not today. He used to say that F-16s were good for a single pass. F-15Es could hang for a bit but were always way too fast. But A-10s and their pilots were always there and never seemed to go away, regardless of how bad things seemed to get on the ground.

She's amazing. As an older infantry veteran. We used to make fun of anyone who wasn't a grunt. But when your in a bad situation and the call for close air support. We love the men and women in the air. Especially helicopters and A-10s. Thanks to all the pilots combat pilots out there.

I was in 74th LRSD in 2005 in Afghanistan, part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. My team was attached to a SF team which went into the Washir Mountains to find, surveil, and eliminate a training camp. It was a female A-10 pilot who dropped the ordinance that leveled the place after we pinpointed it and gathered our intelligence. We did other patrols in RC South throughout that year into Sangin and Qal'eh Gaz which were supported by A-10s. Myself and my buddies will forever appreciate everything the A-10 community has done for us.

I was on the ground that day in Baghdad with my Marines when Col Campbell among others joined the fight with us. We all fought bravely that day and so manymore to come. This fight continued well into the night and pushed us extremely hard. The fight across the river was almost an impossible and arduous task to say the least. I seen the two A-10s drop in under the weather and start making strikes among others, but did not witness the Colonels A-10 take a hit. I do thank God she was not killed or injured. She is a true American hero in my eyes, as many that served are. We, my Marines greatly appreciated Col Campbell and the other A-10 Pilots assistance that day. I thank all of the strike forces that assisted us that day also and throughout this War. Sadly I did not bring home all my boys from this war. I say boys and not Marines because they all were just young men when we started this engagement in to this war, but will become men/Marines very quickly as their eyes were opened to the horrible sight of war, as my own were. To all of my Marines I so proudly commanded in the Iraqi Freedom war, I take such pride in having the pleasure to serve the Corps and command these now men. I and my Marines are truly indebted to Col Campbell and so many others for their service, dedication and willingness to sacrifice themselves protect us while we had boots on the ground. God bless all of us and keep us safe.

This female aviator/warrior is able to convey the stories without the big ego driving the message. She is so cool, anyone would be proud to know and work with her

Listening to this woman and seeing her relaxed but competent presence, what really stands out is the contrast between her and what our society otherwise holds up as female role models. It's stark. We need to see more women like this.

I had watched another longer form video from KC when she was still active duty recounting this mission in much greater detail. She told a story about another pilot who tried a manual reversion landing in a A 10 prior to hers and it ended up being fatal. She was well aware that attempting this type of landing was dangerous and she relayed that her and her flight lead had discussed ejecting once they got into Kuwait. She also talked about how her flight lead kept asking her how her plane was flying and had her check status on her gauges because he could see how damaged the plane was and couldn’t believe the engine wasn’t failing.

KC is an amazing person no less a great pilot. Her life is above any thing written in Hollywood. Some of us from San Jose, CA know of her father, the 64th Mayor of San Jose - Mayor Chuck Reed. (Just a minor comment: I also served in the US Navy and my father started his Naval Career in WW-2 retiring 24 years later). I worked for the City Redevelopment Agency around the development of downtown where Mayor Reed focused. It’s great to see Chuck’s only child featured on your show. Thanks Mooch for introducing one of the Great Ones from the Capital of Silicon Valley - San Jose, California.

As a Marine infantryman, the A-10 forever holds a special place in my heart. We certainly appreciated the pilots who were bored with the Army missions and came over to play with varsity.

What an amazing human being. It is rare to find someone with that much grit who is also so humble.

Enormous respect for all A-10mPilots - they truly live to support the grunts on the ground. Thank you Colonel. M. j. Conrad, Colonel, USMC(Ret)

I'm a 6'2, 250+ lb professional truck driver. I've had a power steering failure on my rig. Highway speed is barely controllable but taking an exit literally had me hanging off the side a the wheel in order to turn the truck around the 180° turn at 20 mph. As a former Signal Corps officer, I already had great respect for you and your accomplishments, ma'am! After hearing you're description of manual reversion my level of respect rose considerably!

KC is an absolute stud. Huge respect for her and bad ass that you were able to tell her story on here. Ward you are documenting living history with these interviews. Please keep putting em out there!

We guarded her A-10 there during that time. I was AF security forces. I was there the day she landed that aircraft. I was the flightline area supervisor. It was honestly an intense time our unit recorded the entire landing via the wisti camera. Too bad the air force kept it. It would be an amazing video to see again

The A-10: affectionately known as 'The Grunt in the Sky' by soldiers whose lives are saved. A-10 pilots care about one thing, the guys on the ground.

I am a former Army ranger recon patrol leader. I called in the A-10 many times. The fire power is awesome, of course. What is just as important is the fact that the pilots don't make mistakes about where they place that firepower. One of the saddest things in combat is to place ordinance on friendly troops. It is easy to do. But the A-10 folks take special pains to prevent this.

As an Army vet - seeing A10s overhead in Iraq was very comforting! The single best friend we had the Air Force

Great video! I am an old Army vet. 11M, Bradley IFV (Gunner). There was nothing that made me happier than seeing and a hearing an A10 coming in on Republican Guard tanks in Desert Storm. By far the best aircraft ever built! The sound of that 30MM still gets me fired up to this day! I showed a friend a video of one firing and he said, "it sounds like a chainsaw running at full throttle". Yep!

My squadron picked up the pilot that ejected in an A-10 close to Baghdad. The boys even brought his ejection seat back stateside. I said it wasn’t a rescue it was more of a taxi ride. He landed by an Army Bradley. The Bradley driver said “ yo Air Force dude get in the back.” The Bradley transferred him to a Hummer. When our helos landed he came out carrying his chute and the guys grabbed his ejection seat!! That’s service!

My daughter is a Air Force pilot - best training possible and they walk the talk. Her motto “whatever it takes” is indicative of these professional officers💥❤️

Great interview!!! I was a A-10 Crew Chief for 30 years. The Hog is a great jet!! Got to meet Col. Campbell on a TDY once, very humble and respectful of us maintainers. Looking forward to more USAF content as its really interesting when you compare and contrast the different ways the USN and the USAF conducts business. Thanks again sir!

What a thrilling story. This woman may have helped support my husband during that time, I have no idea. But pilots like her are absolute heroes and are responsible for bringing many of our troops home. Thank you for her story. She is an inspiration for every woman who wants to make a difference in the world.

As a former U.S. Army combat medic... thank you for your service. It was always nice having A10s on station. Your units were a compliment to us on the ground. Thank you always.

When I first saw the photos of KC's A10 I couldn't believe it could fly at all. Hearing how she did it I'm even more amazed. Utmost respect to her.

As a former grunt on the ground there was nothing finer than the sound of an A10 overhead!

What a cool lady. I’m deeply impressed by her. What an incredible story.

Wow I’m honored to have seen this film! KC you are a true hero in every conceivable metric. You have accomplished so much and who knows how many young girls you have lit a fire in that yes you can do it to. You are the best part of the USA !!!

Profile Bud Anderson. He’s a true American hero. P51 Pilot, test pilot with an amazing AF career and one of the most gentle humble men I’ve ever met.

I am not Col. Campbell's grandad, father, or uncle; nor am I related in any way but I have to say that I am so dang proud of her. And, she chose the A-10, the plane that perhaps most embodies the concept of a guardian angel. Thanks for featuring Col. Kim "KC" Campbell, USAF (Ret.)

She's inspirational Ward, well done. Thank you KC!

KC is f'king badass!!! Thank you so much for this incredible story!!! For allowing Col Kim KC Campbell to share her truly INCREDIBLE CAREER!!!

Manual Reversion is basically the control surfaces being unlocked from the hydraulic actuators and are free to move. The trim tabs move the flight control surfaces by creating a small amount of "lift" on the aileron or elevator which then moves the control surfaces. The early Boeing 707 and DC-8 flew this way as well as the KC-135. The 727 and C-141 used this system as a backup as well similar to the A-10.

I recall another RU-vid video with A10 pilots discussing their role as CAS. It would give you goosebumps to hear how personally these guys take their responsibility and caring for the grunts on the ground. Many of their runs were not over flat desert ground, instead they had to break through cloud cover down into mountain passes and valleys with only a small margin of safety for themselves but they were relentless to protect their fellow soldiers who depended on them. Col Campbell is clearly one of those. Great pilot, great lady.

I love her control of fear & how she talked about no way was she going to eject over the enemy she just lit up. Great situational awareness in some serious shit.

Thank you, Colonel Campbell for your courage, strength, resolve and superior professionalism in serving our great nation! God bless and continue to keep you thru out your life!

A young 19 year old PFC remembers you guys and some F-15s doing some epic sh*t to the Taliban back in the day. Nothing more calming then hearing from the Jtac that we had A-10s coming. Never got a danger close… I could still feel all the power at 900m away. Your friends in 2010 definitely got me and a few of my friends home safe. Thank you.

Great interview Ward. This was an excellent example of courage under fire and the the spirit of the American combat focus of never surrender and fight on -- she could have punched out, but chose to stay and battle on. Just because she disengaged from the sortie, her battle was not over, they had just begun. A fight for survival, where she had to call on her 2 most powerful weapons in her arsenal....her training and courage. She did it with perfection and no commendation or award can over shadow that. The lessons she learned with that flight, beginning to end and the knowledge she extends to others on battle management, will at some point save another American combat veteran and that is the greatest achievement of any combat veteran. The American combat veteran, the greatest the world has ever known.

So proud of you KC. Great job Thanks!🇺🇸

Such an amazing individual. Thank you Col Cambell. Thank you Commander Carroll for arranging the interview. From an old ABE - Cat crew USS Oriskany CVA-34

It was amazing to hear KC tell her story.

Wow....just wow! An amazing interview of professionalism, airmanship, leadership....and most notable...the humility!!! As Marine Infantry during OIF2...the familiar sound of BBRRRRRTTTT during Phantom Fury in Fallujah Nov 2004 was very comforting! We Marines always talk shit about the Air Force but when shit hits the fan....BIG STICK comes through and saving our bacon!!!! I will always be grateful for such dedicated WARRIORS from the air! Thank u "KC"!!!! Semper Fi Ma'am!!!!

What a beautiful story and God bless this woman. She is a jewel as an American, a parent, as a human. My God, the story is incrediable.

Colonel Campbell (Ret.) thank you for your sacrifice and service. You are indeed a very courageous pilot and an inspiration on many levels. ~~ Listening from the KC Missouri ((area))

Thanks for running this interview! As a retired A-10 weapons loader, I can say with great certainty that there the was nothing more satisfying than watching our A-10s return "Winchester" after a combat mission!

I was in Public Affairs at Pope AFB (23rd Wing Flying Tigers at the time) when KC’s incredible mission took place. We worked closely with her when she redeployed as media from around the world wanted her story. She was a total professional. I lost track of her after leaving Pope but am happy she went on to a successful career. BTW, we were told her call sign, KC, stood for “Killer Chick.” Not very politically correct today, but still pretty accurate.

Total respect for KC, as well as the design engineers and workers who built the A10.

As an old cold war tank commander, who had to park out in the open on Luneburger Hide training areain Germany in the 1980's so A10's could practice strafing me . Who had to turn all his lights on to give one lost A10 pilot a clue as to where I was, I take my hat off to this pilot. Thank you for your air cover.

One more thing Ward....how did she win the day? She worked the problem. She did not focus on what she didn't have. She focused on what she had left and her desire to survive and fight on. This is what the American combat veteran does.

She's extremely well-articulated and smart. A fantastic guest and interview. An American hero!

Hello Kim, from Mississippi. So nice to hear you were at Columbus Air Force Base. CAFB is about 40 miles South of where I live and have been to Columbus several times. Always proud to see the pairs of air craft flying training.

Col. Campbell's talk brought tears to my eyes at the level of bravery and patriotism. I hope the USAF gave her many decorations. Thank you for your service.

As I used to be one of the soldiers on the ground, A BIG thank you to all the A-10 pilots out there. I loved having you guys over us in the air. And yes, I have had to call on you a few times. Love the sound of that 30mm Gatling. Brrrt! No more enemy attackers. Couple passes, and things got really quiet, and our convoy continued with few problems. Loved having that aircraft as a back-up, on both of my tours in Iraq. Many times, just a no-fire pass got the enemy to disperse. They knew the sound of the A-10, as well as we did. And they knew they were screwed if they stuck around.

The A-10 is a piece of American engineering genius- I don't think that any aircraft has ever been built with a greater ability to absorb punishment, and still make it back to base. It's like George Foreman in his prime with wings, a 30mm Gatling gun, and a couple of engines fitted- a combination of immense hitting power, and ability to absorb heavy punishment without going down! As a Brit, I've been on the 'receiving end' of the A-10. Fortunately, it didn't involve the 30 mm cannon, or any live ammunition I'm pleased to say. I was on Ex on Salisbury Plain in 1990, my unit was engaged in FIBUA/OBUA training. A pair of USAF A-10's 'attacked' the urban complex and dropped CS gas on us in a simulated chemical attack- so we had to don full NBC kit and respirators. We then had to withdraw from the village and tab several miles on a HOT September day in full CEFO (36lb), with Bergens (70-80lb) I had the added 'delight' of carrying a 36lb 84mm Carl Gustav, in addition to an L1A1 SLR (10lb) and 200 rnds(20lb) of NAT0 7.62mm. I was hauling at least 172lb of kit all up in full NBC kit. It was a similar experience to being in a Turkish bath house! Thanks Yanks! lol What a terrific career KC had, all credit and respect to her- a high achiever and impressive individual. After contending with a crippled A-10 and successfully nursing it back to base, I think she merits the soubriquet, 'Cool Hand Campbell.' As we say in Britain, she's rather pleasing to the eye too! ;)

As a 12B trainee at Ft. LWood MO in 1990, I was sure thankful for the level of education and training our pilots have. Those A10s would be on top of us before we could hear them. Most of the time their guns were rattling off what seemed to be thousands of rounds a minute before we realized they were overhead. We knew their targets were miles down range from us, but the few times we could seem them diving into position it would stand the hair up on the back of your neck. 6 weeks into our training Iraq invaded Kuwait. Training took on a whole new meaning and everyone stepped it up. By the time we were finished many of us shipped right out to the M.E. I got to watch it all unfold on CNN. I would get excited every time any A10 was mentioned. Demonstratively explaining the level of fire power the A10 possessed to anyone willing to listen. My best friend fought with the 2nd Armored Division. He came home with nothing but high praise for A10 pilots. He stated many times over that those A10 pilots kept both his anxiety in check as well as his conscience and that with out them he would have fully understood what full combat was like, but because they were there, he knew their jobs were much safer. His son was born on the second day of the ground offensive. He got to go home and meet his family intact and in mostly high spirits. Wasn’t unscathed but most certainly appreciative of the pilots and their A-10.

What a Rock Star! Love this woman and her devotion to her job!

This lady is a badass. From this USAF vet here('76-'80), thank you for serving, Col. Campbell! You are an example of excellent flying and courage under pressure, and great leadership in your career as a whole.

What a wonderful pilot. The only bad thing about her career was that she didn’t end up with four stars on her shoulders. She served her career as a active participant in the mission rather than getting tickets punched. Thanks for your accomplished service to our country.

Kim, thank you for your service, and I am just one old school "91b"retired SFC that never got deployed. While it sounds exciting, I do not miss not being deployed. In the Infantry, we all signed the same piece of paper, just like everyone else. I would have of course gone if called, as I had the training. I am, glad that you were able to teach others from your experiences.

My Dad worked on the flight manual for the A-10 at Fairchild-Republic. He would be glowing had he lived long enough to see her in operation as well as hearing KC's story!

It’s an honor to be part of the maintenance crew that keeps these birds in operation

What an incredible woman and pilot. Thank you, Col. Campbell, for your service.

This is a fantastic interview! Thanks to you both for making this interview possible.

I purchased the audio version of Col. Campbell's book and I have to say, it was delightful. Not only in what this person was able to achieve through dedication and dogged tenacity from an early age but every life's lesson she experienced and learned, she, though excellent writing skills teaches us why those life's lesions are important to our lives. This is a must read for everyone in your family whether they are female or not. This book is inspiring to us all. Cheering for America!

Great interview! The A-10 is an incredible aircraft. I worked security at the Fairchild Republic plant in Farmingdale in the early 80s. I worked evenings and had run of the entire plant and got to see how these beasts came into existence as well as driving executives and engineers. Absolutely incredible machine! The design and engineering is made to last under the worse of conditions as well as unleashing hell on those on the business end of its gun.

As an 80 year old AF veteran, from the F-100 flight line, I found this interview very interesting. Good interview, All the right questions were asked, and answered.... I would be proud for her to fly my plane. The Air Force, then and now, gives young people a lot of responsibility, very quickly... Thanks for sharing this story....!

I've met some impressive people in my life but this lady is above and beyond. As the father of three daughters I would like to thank her for her service and for being such an outstanding female role model. Your father is and should be so proud of you. God bless.

I remember sitting at my tent at the end of the runway watching this landing. Great job

Excellent episode and interview. Loved the CAS mission, so I have mad respect for KC and her story.

As a former Army Grunt, I LOVE A-10 Fighter Pilots!

She is a total bad ass! 👍👍 Much respect!! Getting to fly the baddest plane on earth! Incredible and awesome story. And thank you for serving! Your a real Hero!! May God bless you and everyone that has ever served!

The A10 was one of the few military aircraft in which designers closely collaborated with pilots and maintenance engineers for final design layout. maintenance and flying characteristics. This facilitated ease of maintenance, access, turn-around, combat readiness and other advantages, apart from other ballistic advantages, such as self sealing tanks, protective seats etc.

I instantly related to KC's decision to *refuse* to eject over that location. I had suffered a bad fall when at sea, with no witnesses. The situation was potentially fatal. I vividly remember, even decades later, saying outloud, "No. Mom is *NOT* going to get that phone call." I have found anecdotally that most who choose life deliberately in those moments, will suddenly find themselves mentally downloading and acting upon everything that they need to survive and get to safety and assistance. Everything around them starts to work with them as well. In her case, her wingman, an overflight of protective jets, and an airframe that held together, along with all of her training. In my case, I managed to avoid going into shock, etc, then a shipmate came out on deck and heard my call, when there was no reason for him to be out there. That started my rescue & recovery. Refuse to give up. Choose life, no matter how much it might hurt. The thoughts telling you to give in and to give up are not your friend. Reject them, and keep focused on making it through that minute, to the next one. You got this!

My father was a FAC in Vietnam and when his OV-10 was hit by ground fire he said virtually the same thing, "I'm not ejecting over that jungle.". He managed to get it back to his base. Somewhere there is a Stars and Stripes article with my proud dad standing next to his OV-10 with several big holes in it.

Thank you Col Campbell for sharing your story. Have always loved the A10 Warthogs.

I first saw/listened to Col. Campbell on Combat Stories and I was so excited to hear more from her! Thank you for interviewing her.

As a thirty year ground pounder, I loved the A10 and their pilots. They have saved many, many lives and are the easiest aviators to work with. Thank you for your service!!

She came and spoke to the Cadets last year at the Air Force Academy. Amazing story to hear about an amazing feat of airmanship.

Wish I could double like this. Great video Ward! Col. Campbell has a compelling story to tell and is obviously a gifted aviator.

Excellent reporting. Thank you for your dedication to service.

My eldest son just retired from the Navy after 22 years (like Father, like son, eh?) On the other hand, my youngest two sons were in the Army as Combat medics. My eldest, the only daughter, retired, as a Warrant Officer, after 30 years in the Coast Guard. The eldest of those two youngest sons spent two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He relates to me that the A-10 was absolutely loved by the ground troops and that they would have done anything to repay these pilots for their assistance. This woman epitomizes the elite caliber of personnel we have in the military service today. KC...Myself and my three sons and daughter, salute you and are grateful for your service. THANK YOU!!!