Secrets Behind the Making of a Heroic Female A-10 Pilot 

BTW, KC's dad wasn't just an AF Academy grad living in San Jose. He was also the *mayor* of San Jose. And a good one at that. But I can not imagine the challenge of raising two boys while both parents are actively serving. Props to Kim and Scott for somehow pulling it off, and to the Air Force for being a cooperative partner.

Just bought her book as a gift to our son who is an avid reader of military history and those who have served. Thank You Colonel for your service! US Army 1968 - 1971 for me.

This viewer is an 86 y/o woman and I just want to tell this pilot how proud of her I am and thankful she’s on OUR side! Well done!

As gal who went through two academies during a 35 year career, and who retired at equivalent rank to KC, I can only say I have nothing but respect for everyone that has the drive and commitment to follow their dreams. Like KC and Ward I had to deal with that 'try again another time' letter when transitioning to my second career and know the feeling of finally convincing the arbiters of selection that you'll do them proud, if only you get given the chance. I'll very much look forward to reading KC's book. To anyone out there wondering if your dream is for you after getting one of 'those' letters stick to your guns and your gut, persistence really does pay off.

I worked with an A-10 Driver from OSD at the PNT, she took no crap and I always enjoyed watching her come off the top rope on unsuspecting fools.Her favorite comeback was “ I killed jokers with my A-10, what the hell did you do?”. One of the most beautiful women and she loved Airborne Infantry, we’d follow her anywhere.

I'm always a fan-boi for Col. Campbell. Even though I'm probably not in what could be called the "Target Audience" I still have the book on the way to my house. As an A-10 Crew chief for the last 3 years of a 22 year career, I found Col. Campbell to be a one of those top-notch individuals that stand out in my mind looking back at my career. I retired as an E-6 from the Dragons in 2013 at Davis Monthan AFB. I really had a ball crewing the A-10's there for my last 3 years in the USAF and got to meet a lot of great folks there.

I'm not a flyer, but I served 17 years in the Royal Navy, drove ships and I have bought your book. Can't wait to read it.

"Class Act" doesn't begin to describe this courageous woman. Talk about a role model. Salute to you Col. Campbell.

Really respect her attitude. No chip on her shoulder. Pure professional 100%

As a prior AF aircraft maintainer, my first-hand experience with women air crew were always stellar. The women were always super sharp and professional. It was a pleasure to be associated with such fine humans and I grew as a person thru those interactions.

WOW…. These two interviews are so experiential based, educational. I have a grandson at Oregon State University, that needs to listen to this with me. I feel very accomplished as an Educator and my personal and professional accomplishments. That said, I could t watch and listen to KC talk without …. “Wonderment” of everything she has accomplished… passing in to younger generations. Excellent interview Sir. Thank you.

The retired ex military folks you have on this channel are amongst the most impressive people I have ever met, and I work in a tertiary university hospital with some of the best staff in the world. Even so, the dedication to mission exhibited by your interviewees is impressive. Thank you for bringing these extraordinary Americans to our attention.

So cool - she's a bad ass. It's amazing that she and her husband were able to do all the things they've done. My dad was kicked out of Naval ROTC in college because they found out he got married and in the late 40s early 50s that wasn't acceptable. Dad's passed but mom is still alive, in her 90s, and we often talk about how different our lives would have been if he hadn't been kicked out. Glad the services have come around now and they realize family and service can co-exist.

As a dad of two girls, I’ve got nothing but respect for this brave, strong leader and how she has lived her life. Great example I will share with my own kids. Many thanks!

What an awesome transaction between two great aviators. Thanks for the opportunity to listen in on this interview. I am a retired F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet power plants maintainer and I always admired my awesome aircrew!

A fantastic interview. Col. Campbell is an extraordinary individual and so articulate! Her commitment to be a pilot and her natural leadership ability is outstanding. Thank you for running a fantastic episode.

I started following Wards channel last year mainly because I know nothing about military pilots and aircraft. As a grunt in the infantry I found myself intrigued about the guys keeping an eye out and protecting us on the ground. Now I find the most interesting videos are the ones with interviews like this and all the others! Thanks Ward!

All I can say is...AMAZING! Loved seeing A-10's in Tucson. My grandparents lived just outside flight path. I watched the A-6 crash from my dorm in 78. Got the book!!! Thank you for your sacrifice and service! All of you!

I love these interviews! The guests you have on are very intelligent and capable people who have accomplished great things. And with your ability as an interviewer to navigate them through their story, it’s something I could listen to all day

"Good enough for a girl" What a great story,- super interview.

KC you are a true inspiration to young women (and men) in our nation. You CAN serve your country, be in a highly demanding but rewarding career field, and have a family. Absolutely Incredible Story! Your sacrifices made a difference to our country. From an old retired Navy guy, Well Done - BZ!

I was Superintendent, Security Police, Kwang Ju Air Base, Korea. We were in the Chow Hall having Breakfast and watching the morning news. KC, and Mooch, I thank you both for your service. I retired from the Air Force in Aug 1989, after 24+ yrs.

I was a F-111 crew chief at RAF Upper Heyford from 80 to 83, in 81 I was selected for Transient Alert and sent to RAF Bentwaters for A-10 FTD school. Loved the simplicity of the jet and the amazing firepower. Still impressive that a analog jet can survive in the digital battle space, ground pounders love this platform. 40 years later I'm a Pro Super for a ANG F-16 unit @ JBSA Lackland.

I first learned about Colonel Campbell here on Mooch's channel during her first interview; and now I'll be buying the book because of this segment!

Outstanding interview with an outstanding hero... not only for her obvious skills as an officer and pilot... but I am even more impressed and admire what she was and is able to accomplish with her hero husband keeping their family together. Frankly, being able to preserve their family unit while in their career paths is more heroic than if she had shot down a Flanker getting back to her base while flying in "manual reversion" that fateful day in Iraq.

Another 50 minutes with KC!! Thank you!!

Thanks! I really appreciate your content on RU-vid. Thank you for providing interesting material in a great format. My Dad was an aeronautical engineer who worked on the A-10 control system. He was so proud of his work on that plane and brought home lots of swag (model of the plane, dummy shell, an A-10 patch). I wish he was still around to see that the A-10 is still hanging in as a useful military airplane all these years later.

I really don't have words, except for thank you for your service, Colonel.

great interview of an officer, decorated fighter pilot, commander, wife and mom. Ward, thank you sir. proves my sisters have a fighting chance as well.

What a fantastic episode Mooch! I love listening and seeing KC and hearing about her career. I will be getting her book asap! Congrats and hats off to KC!

Awesome interview Ward. Thanks for sharing your amazing story KC. I’m a UH-60 IP/IE, and there’s nothing better than landing in the middle of a firefight and having the Hogs overhead.

I can say that as the cadet wing commander, I know I would have seen Col. Campbell during the march ons at AFA Football games. Wish I could say I specifically remember her, but that was a long time ago. Very inspiring interview/story!

That 48 minutes went really quick. Great interview. Much respect.

Incredible interview. What a remarkable leader. I got goosebumps when she described the ceremony where they flashed the A-10 up on the screen behind her! I really enjoy this type of content. Looking forward to reading this book

I just get this sense of calm determination from this impressive pilot. Very switched on.

The most gracious, “see the big picture” person I’ve seen on a RU-vid interview. She doesn’t see the world thru the lens of gender issues. She takes on the world as a challenge- a person taking on hard things.

Thank you Ward. I had no idea of the back story. Congratulations to KC, Scott and family for being true modern-day American puoneers!

What an impressive & cool lady!! I have a female acquaintance who is an AF Academy Grad, and Maj who is a C-130J commander and IP at the Fighter Weapons School. She too is an honest to God warrior. You gals ROCK!

Col Campbell is amazing person! Thank you for interviewing her again!

way to go kim, and thanks for your faithful military service to this great nation. What courage you have shown, I salute you. tom o'connor, MSgt, USAF (ret)

One of my favorite Interviewed. What an outstanding example for all of us. She represents the best in all of us. The fact she was able to pull out out of herself repeatedly under tough circumstances and not whither when circumstances were pushing her limits is a testimonial to what’s possible. She leads by example and shows us all what persistence can do. Such a fine human, woman, officer and pilot. Makes me feel better about our country and about myself because she’s a motivator. We’re lucky to have such fine people among us and in our military. She’s simply great. Mooch is the best interviewer I know of on military matters. It’s an episode I don’t don forget. Together they were exemplary in telling an engaging and important story. It points to some of the best qualities in high achievers in our society

I love that lady, she seems like an awesome person. Thanks to the both of you for your service in this great country!!!

“Good Enough For A Girl” Sounds like the possible title of KC’s next book on leadership and being a class act.

Excellent ... I watched your interviews with Admiral Carter and Colonel Campbell. It's was great to hear about their personal goals, determination, career paths, and challenges along the way. Unfortunately, in today's time, great role models don't get the exposure that we need as a society. I hope many young people will have the opportunity to view these videos. And I hope you will continue to highlight shining stars so that they can perhaps have an impact on our young people.

Imagine both of your parents are A-10 pilots with 4 distinguished flying cross between them. No pressure but you should probably go to the academy😂

WOW!!! What a woman!! God bless her and Scott and family!! Our nation needs millions more like them!!

As a former radar-navigator-bombardier, there was at that time a parallel to the cockpit route named "Aviation Cadets" which was a year long, that had been pilots+navs, then ended as Navigators only (now morphed into Combat Systems Officers). Any, and all the these military schools are for most of us:Fantastic life experiences. Wings waves to Col. Kim Campbell. P.S. Navy had at one time had: NavCads.

It would also be cool to get Michelle "Xena" Vestal on here too. She went into the AFA starting in the fall 1990 semester, and also flew A-10's in combat.

What an amazing lady. We need thousand of KC's right now, to teach younger gerneration to stop being victims and get on with their lives. Brilliant interview, I also watch the first one and I was so proud of her. She clearly shows, you can achieve your goals, you can have a career and have a family, My resspect Kim Cambell.

Cool interview, congratulations to both of you! What a person and amazing will! Thank you very much.

I remember when the shuttle that blew up , I was 19 , I had just met my mother for the first time ; it was a bad time for me personally . It is good that you got into aviation and became a CAS pilot , the A10 is a great plane with lots of redundant systems . I guess nobody does anything alone , you have to have the right mom, right dad , right school , right everything to get into military aviation or really , do anything . I had lots of trouble with airsickness - found out a rubber band on my wrist worked ( that’s when I was training for commercial aviation ) getting my ticket was an uphill battle , everything from air sickness to student loans but I didn’t get started till way late due to things that get in your way- sick family member ( brother ) and just crap jobs ( aviation training is not cheep ) but yea got my instructor ticket in spite of zero sponsorship and then my eyes went bad… I have seen the A10 up close at air shows be great to fly one of those … cool vid So I guess you fly commercial now , you are an ATP ?

Bravo Zulu to Col. Campbell for the publication of her book (received my copy last night; looking forward to it!). And also for sharing her story with others. Having raised all boys, and having grandsons, my oldest grandson and his wife have graced us with a great granddaughter! Looking to encourage her in all ways possible to chase and fulfill her dreams! Bravo Zulu to Cdr. Carroll for another great interview! Concerning Challenger, I was assigned to Naval Station Orlando and was outside at Rickover Circle and watched that event happen. From there I went to my first sea assignment, USS NIMITZ CVN-68/Engineering Dept./Aux. Division (A-Gang)/Aircraft elevators - making sure the aircraft got from the roof to the hangar deck and back.

What a great story! Sargent, USAF. AGM-28B. ( Hound Dog) 1963 to 1967

Another great interview. I’m looking forward to reading the book. I can relate to the airsickness problem in T37’s. My first assignment after UPT was as a T37 IP and most students were done after getting sick. I flew the A10 also from 1985-88 at Myrtle Beach. Great memories.

Fantastic interview. She’s an inspiration to me, and I’m 66 years old. I can only imagine what young Cadets think of her. Both of you, thank you for your dedicated service to our Country.

KC is freakin' Superwoman. Totally Supergirl / Superwoman. Thanks for the awesome sequel to KC's 1st equally-awesome interview. Bravo Zulu Mooch and KC!

A great interview, and I've bought her book! I look forward to reading it. As a US Army ground-pounder once-upon-a-time, I remember exercising with A-10s doing simulated close air support, and man! those planes were _impressive._ Great to hear about the career of such a successful pilot!

KC’s comment on the Bring Me Men sign. Exactly! She wasn’t even thinking about it. Real women, real (fill in the blank), don’t think about those things. They simply focus on performing their job/tasks to their utmost ability. In todays world especially, the vast majority honor that effort. And the few that don’t are getting left in the dustbin of history. Learn this lesson now.

Great episode ward KC gets more and more admirable the more you hear about her. Can't wait to read her book.

Outstanding interview Mooch, I can’t wait for some backstory on Happy Hour. What an amazing leader, we’re lucky to have had her on our team!

An inspirational video about an inspirational Air Force officer. Respect!

Another fabulous interview. What a remarkable woman. Wife, mom and A-10 pilot. What I learned are 2 things. From her - hard work and dedication even if you have to get it in the bag. From you - gracefully guidance in leading the subject with simple well thought direct questions. Thank you.

I grew up in a household where my Mother was a manager at a big corporate and my Dad in aerospace. I’m older than you guys and it was no big deal. I grew up in a racially integrated neighborhood outside LA. We’ve made too much about division and it’s over trying to gain political advantage. I think being chill, dedicated, well balanced and focused many of these things we work out because we all really just want to get along.

Sounds like KC's gonna be the Moochie award winner two years in a row! Awesome and inspirational interview. 👍

I had just gotten back from eating chinese with my co-workers in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, on my second TDY trip in support of ELF-ONE. I ran the combined Ground Electronics maintenance shop for 90 days, just one of my many trips to various places no one else wanted to go when I was in the USAF. I can still remember the chilling effect it had on the entire base.

I was at Kadena when first USAF female fighter (F-15) pilot got assigned there. Many of the wives of the other pilots in the squadron were upset because they thought that she would be seducing their husband's (or vice versa) when on TDY/deployments. Pilot & wife who lived next door thought it was all a bit silly; I agreed.

What a phenomenal person! Such a great outlook on life and service! Thanks for doing this one Mooch!! I cant decide which interview I like better, this one or her last interview. They are both amazing! And without a doubt the coolest memorabilia in her office is the piece of her A-10 all shot up hanging on her wall. 👍🇺🇸✌

This Outstanding interview Mooch was more amazing than your last interview with KC. I agree with a recommendation below that you interview her husband too... perhaps with KC to add details.

I was struck by Col. Campbell’s use of the phrase “to be credible” to describe her personal performance goal. All evidence is that she was well beyond credible - more like outstanding - yet she still felt a strong need to show she was competent, presumably to the menfolk.

Great interview, well done to both of you.

As usual Sir, excellent! Mam thank you for flying the mother ship, the ground types (Marines and Ground Combat Soldiers) Truly appreciate your ferocious devotion to covering their six. I can only speak for Marines, we love our Corpsman! You A10 zoomies come in a close second. The A10 like any mother makes sure her brood get home!

Dear Ward, I enjoyed your interview with Colonel Campbell as I do with all of your interviews... I tried ordering her personalized book but I was unable to find any closure to the order.. Keep up the good work.

Classmate of mine is son of Richard Scobee. The entire Academy was watching in stunned silence.

Thank you to BOTH of you for your Service! Ward, I love your interviews, and your approach to them! Some people that interview, it gets long and boring, NOT YOURS! Thank you for bringing us along!

Awesome interview! Thanks for the continued great interaction with this exceptional leader.

Pre ordered the book. Amazing stories thanks Mooch and KC

Colonel Campbell is hard corps. Never a victim. Never gave up and proved to the world. I love these type stories!!!

You've got to let that shit go. LOL I was told those exact words as well! My instructor said "Don't let one aspect of the hop ruin your entire flight."

When you listen to what KC actually did, the struggle she had, all of her fighting to get to the place she wanted to be - it is well deserved. She certainly earned it.

Thank you both for such a great interview. Thank you, too, Colonel Campbell, for sharing those important moments and lessons learned through a life well lived that inspire us all. Well done!

Wade, you really do conduct a great interview. Thanks for bringing Col KC onto the channel the day her book ❤was released…which by the way came to my doorstep yesterday!

I wish had had the drive and determination that KC had when I was that young! Great interview!

Thank you for this interview! I find them so interesting and I admire the courage and hard work that went into these successful careers. I saw the Aviation Week article about KC (Killer Chick) when it was published.

I was in 6thy grade science class, we watched it live.. My science teacher wept.. very moving.

Only wish there was a way to give multiple likes to a video. This one was AWESOME. Thanks much KC!

We need more KC's in our life, excellent interview Ward, K.C, is someone who i would feel great about protecting me and my family, thanks Ward, your a bad ass to.

What an incredible and humble woman. Great interview. Thanks for it.

didn't miss the interview! a great military leader!

Thank you, Ward for hosting another excellent interview with KC. Wonderful life stories for us all. :)

What a great interview. Cool pilot, cool mom, cool guest!

Really enjoyed another great episode with the Col... fascinating stories about her career...I'm thinking she gets the next Mooch award ... again!!

Another outstanding interview with a fantastic role model. The story about Col Campbell's experience of the Challenger disaster as a ten-year-old is particularly telling. In more recent years, my experience is that many parents are far too prone to shielding or sheltering their children from such realities of life -- and death. All part of the risk-averse trend that, to my mind, has resulted in children having far fewer freedoms than I and my peers had as a children and teenagers in the 1970s into the early '80s. I can't help but feel that it results in a certain level of stunting of their development, and can leave them less prepared for the realities of adult life.

Director of Character & Leadership Development? Is there any way we can turn that into a Cabinet level position for the country? Kim Campbell would be ideal for that role. What a communicator. She is exactly the type of adult role model that middle schoolers and high school kids need to encounter.

Cool mom, cool dad, cool family and a wonderful story of hard work and discipline. Inspirational stuff. "Bags"! ha ha ha :-)

I had just gotten my driver's license less than a moth before (December 30). I had a free period and so planned to drive home from school and I got there just in time to see it on TV.

Thank you both for this sharing of your experience and obvious growth.

This is a great interview and discussion! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for another great and interesting interview with the Colonel. Good stuff!

Where's the AUDIO? Glad I came back after the audio was fixed! GREAT INTERVIEW!

Great video/interview again, to keep it in military aviation terms, you are an ace Mr. Carroll. There is not a single video I didn't enjoy. Thank you for inspiring generations of aviators to come!