First Black female pilot in U.S. Air Force makes her final flight

[@MrGoodnplenty1957]

I was stationed with "TC" from 1984-1986 at Castle AFB, CA. When she became an aircraft commander on the KC-135A, I was the first air refueler (Boom Operator) on her crew. One of the closest friends I ever had during my 20 year Air Force career. Congrats on you retirement TC....p.s. To my former Air Force aircraft commander, "Pilot, boom stowed, leaving position." (smile)

[@LilliLamour]

Thank you for your service. My niece is in the Airforce fixing planes. I'm so proud of her😊

[@greeneyes0078]

Castle AFB - Atwater CA. My dad was also stationed there and retired at Castle. He spent 33 years and worked with B-52 Bombers. He has passed on - to all the Military Men/Women - Thank you and God Bless.

[@johngrimkowski598]

@@LilliLamour I loved my FB-111 back in the 80's

[@Pretty_Fly_on_a_White_Guy]

Thank you for you service and congratulations on a great career. Blue skies!

[@TonyDphaxKing]

Wow! Great photo of her when young in the cockpit. Great service to mankind. 😮😮

[@ashleygola9400]

Thank you for your service and paving the way for women! You are a true trailblazer!

[@ciprianogonzalez7254]

“humankind”

[@YourPocketTiger]

men will never say, "he paved the way for men". say "mankind" or "humankind"

[@heathermetz6576]

0:41 “Number 1: You HAVE to know how to do your job.”

[@anonymouslyopinionated656]

no handouts.

[@davidh9844]

Do you?

[@shawniehoward]

Yeah imagine a pilot not know how to do his/her job. That would be a nightmare. It's definitely not a very forgiving job.

[@johnanderson6946]

@@davidh9844 do you??

[@johnhickman106]

@@johnanderson6946 He doesn't have a job.

[@marc21256]

The first Black woman Air Force pilot was 1981? Less than 45 years ago, we had segregation still enforced in practice, if not in law. Yet people keep telling me that "racism has been dead since 1965, or 1954, or 1865m or 1776, or whatever. But we can still see the effects today, from things that happened in our lifetimes.

[@maxxitee4761]

Wow. She deserves that tribute …..so proud. 34 years

[@catherinebrady2640]

Thank you for your service and example of women in the military.

[@tailwind12]

as a retired veteran myself tha mindset with certain ethnic and gender groups is few and far between. great. for ms. claiborne as a person, citizen. congratulations. as an individual. 85%+ of her 'sista's" do not have that mindset. she is correct in that in aviation (like surgery) you have to "know your job". so ask yourself why had there not been a African American tactical pilot t in the US military UNTIL 2019? why? simply not qualified in that "unforgiving" field. and "no" the political easy answer of "racism" and discrimination is not valid, true or accurate. it sounds PC "though" to claim. IF ms. claiborne had an organization of competency of the sky's" i would support her and that organization 110% and more. of ALL persons. this "sista's" fo the skys is BS. fringe DEI, probably dangerous and putting non-healthy, possibly dangerous extortion and demands on US airlines to hire marginally qualified (at best) pilots. so glad after retiring i moved out of the US. i live in another developed country where competency, education is: JOB #1 not DEI or "sista's" of the sky marketing garbage and BS.

[@dragonfly4484]

Huge Congratulations to her. Thank you for paying the way!

[@sonquatsch8585]

paving.

[@amonrodriguez3518]

Good for her! Congratulations on a career to be proud of and a life well lived

[@gmanette188]

Much respect

[@cj9667]

Congrats on your retirement! What an inspiration and a trailblazer for women. Love her attitude do your job and don’t expect handouts! Her smile is infectious!

[@ks9466]

Thank you for teaching and showing how to have a better American foundation

[@BellaWorldAni]

Good to hear good news. Congrats to you, Captain! What a shining example you are for all women/girls. Thank you for your service.

[@YourPocketTiger]

"everyone" not just women and girls. young boys should also be inspired by her

[@shepardbook]

Well done, Captain Claiborne! And congratulations.

[@linedanzer4302]

Congratulations and thank you Ma'am for your service. *You have an amazingly beautiful smile!* Enjoy your retirement!

[@1234itbeme]

Thank you for your service.

[@cmdkaboom]

About time!!!! Congratulations and I wish you many more firsts in your upcoming career!

[@rose.g.]

Thank you for your service, Captain Theresa Claiborne! Salute! 🎉

[@GeorgeJansen]

Excellent biographical movie picture

[@MsDOT-ic7dz]

I can see Kimberly Elise in the starring role.🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TeamUmizoomie]

I know she has some stories there. I hope she writes a book. She truly paved a way for females within the military. Thank you Captain. Enjoy retirement. ❤

[@jaysonpida5379]

Agree about a book...she needs to write one.

[@KainsAddiction]

The funny thing about comments like these is pretending that she really paved anything. We let her in. The people you hate so much paved the way, she just met the prerequisites and qualifications everyone else did. Nothing special here.

[@buildintotrains]

@@KainsAddiction just be happy for her and stop being miserable to all of us :)

[@KainsAddiction]

@@buildintotrains Just wait, kid. Just wait.

[@03nowwow]

@@KainsAddictionwho are you in “we”? Likely a nobody who made no life changing decisions for anyone…

[@tammydavis2047]

Thank you for being such an inspiration for everyone! YouR AWESOME

[@dianesimpson2979]

I salute you! You've made us very proud! Thank you very much for your service! Wish we could have heard of her years ago.

[@KelahCash]

Congratulations, Captain Clayborne!!! Impeccable accomplishment! The Lord bless & keep you (& your family) in your well-earned retirement. 🤎 Thank you for your service!

[@janices6140]

Congratulations, Capt. Claiborne. You're an inspiration.

[@eduardootero2953]

Thank you for your service. God bless you and your family.🛫✈🛬

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

The USAF is basically the largest airline pilot training program.

[@Magnolia5]

CONGRATULATIONS 💜 Thank you so very much for your service! God continue to bless you abundantly.

[@joycebriscoe7973]

So so awesome! Congratulations!

[@b.visconti1765]

You go Girl!!! Nows Your time to get out an spread those wings to fly for yourself an nobody else..Thank You for setting such an amazing examples to our young and old😂 women around the world.❤ Good Luck an Fly High🙏

[@AmericanFlyOnTheWall]

Congratulations, Ma'am! You "aimed high" and hit the mark!

[@karondeshields3525]

Safe travels my sister from another Air Force veteran 🎉❤🙏🇺🇸

[@MosesCraig]

Thank you for your service and being an inspiration.

[@jamienordmeyer4345]

Congratultions Captain Claiborne!!! Thank you for your service!!

[@phoenixr6811]

Congratulations 😊

[@MrBTRDAYZ]

The funny thing is that despite folks thinking DEI stands for Didn't Earn It, the fact is that most black families raise their children to put in above average efforts in their professional endeavors, because racism being what it it, we know that our skin color exposes us to inequitable scrutiny and doubts about our abilities. Where a mediocre white person can skate by professionally, black professionals UNDERSTAND that they must be THE BEST. We are not allowed to be mediocre. So when you observe us in these capacities, you should know that there aren't many that can compete. We are a competitive people. The same spirit we bring to most sports stadiums that leads to our dominance, is the same spirit we bring professionally when bias is removed as a barrier to entry. We don't need nor want handouts. Just a level playing field. If there were level playing fields, corporate boardrooms would look just like the NBA. We play to win!

[@gaius_enceladus]

Wonderful woman! May she have a long, happy and relaxing retirement!

[@craigford4641]

Say it loud ! I,m Black and i,m Proud ! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@shauntrailskinner9645]

*@craigford4641* Yeah, you're "proud" alright..... proud to be illiterate. Use an apostrophe instead of a comma putz. 🙄

[@ENScottish]

Her skin is still young and beautiful.

[@lookingforwyatteearp3137]

But its still black. Thats the problem.

[@plagmatic]

Quick recovery 😂

[@MrAdam944]

​@lookingforwyatteearp3137 if you're gay just say that lol

[@thomasisbored9060]

@@lookingforwyatteearp3137i mean if your a racist just say that because we all know

[@lookingforwyatteearp3137]

@@thomasisbored9060 I am not racist toward black people. I think we should all own one...lol.

[@BruceMusto]

Happy Retirement Captain. You and I are from the same generation of service. 1981 doesn't really seem all that long ago to me, but I guess it is.

[@josaczyn]

Amazon story. Congratulations Captain Claiborne! You are amazing!

[@youngnurse9994]

Congratulations and thank you for your service ma'am. 😊 🤗😇🙏

[@dimuthdarshaka7985]

🙋🙋🙋🙋 Captain America Congratulations From Sri Lanka🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@kimberlyjohnson6150]

God bless you and congratulations on your accomplishments. Thank you for your service.

[@Xylophone8]

Congratulations 🎉

[@efremteenagebento6701]

My lovely sis.Congrats❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@washingtonsteven6885]

GOD BLESS her and Thank You for your EXCELLENCE.

[@lyndawest923]

Whoooohooooo! Great achievement and decorated career!

[@armageddonready4071]

Number one, join the Air Force

[@shepardbook]

I’m certain the Navy people (like my brother in law) will take some exception to that. There is also Navy OCS.

[@toddsanders6085]

Congratulations on all of your fantastic accomplishments!! Well done.

[@DarqJestor]

I salute you Cpt Claybourne with the highest respect!

[@Faicon9493]

Bessie Coleman would be proud.

[@jeremyhicks2449]

Congratulations 🎉Capt. Theresa Claiborne. Thank you for your service. Let's go Air Force!

[@MrSunlander]

Well said and well done, Skipper!

[@lordemed1]

Wonderful woman!❤

[@olabsy]

Congratulations Captain on your retirement and for setting the pace and paving the way. God bless

[@AviationNoor]

Yep my dream is to also fly with united in their 787

[@jojothetasmaniansassmonkey8866]

them 787s ain't gone age well. mark my words little momma, mark my words. Be an Airbus man, not a Boeing boy.

[@GuamPhotographer]

aww, this is amazing, she is amazing!, Congratulations!

[@HazelW-oe2ls]

Impressive! Thank you, Captain Claiborne, for your great service ! Well done!

[@8809-c9x]

You’ve had such a long and successful career. Well done! Enjoy your retirement. Thank you for your service. ❤

[@Castaway.....]

Congrats young lady. Thank you for your service.

[@kerriballard9014]

Congratulations! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.

[@gregorymurdock8551]

Congratulations!!! You are amazing ❤. Thank you for your service, dedication, perseverance, inspiration and giving back….. God bless you exceeding abundantly 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@MrJW-jf3ue]

Thank You and I SSgt. White salute you!

[@darylcoston1554]

Congratulations a job well done and I salute you. Thank you for your service.

[@JoseReyes-yl4oj]

❤🎉 Muchas felicidades y bendiciones 🎉❤

[@hounddog946]

Thanks for your service ma’am.

[@paulgonzales2601]

Thank you for setting an amazing example captain! Much love and respect 🫡.

[@timothywalker4563]

A lot of work, many miles flown and quite an inspiration 😊

[@virginiamiller9765]

Cap, you brought Light to a difficult task. Many Happy Flights of Fancy, and days of Rest now. Many years of love and hope reside in you. Laurels of Champions rest, dear girl Laurels.

[@stevencampbell365]

Go Strong Beautiful Lady 💪🙏

[@David-yy7lb]

That's awesome Captain👍🏿 I retired flying 747's for U.P.S 8 years ago

[@CelestinoFigueroa3]

God bless her. Congratulations

[@Coffy1978]

Thank you for your service, Captain Claiborne! 👍🙏❤

[@feline_star]

Wow. Congratulations Captain 👏👏👏👏👏

[@bethel1242]

Amen! Well done!

[@tiffanybailey2777]

Hats off to you❤

[@flynhwn15]

Congratulations Captain, enjoy your much deserved retirement and thank you for your service.

[@RoseTurner-lj5yc]

You go girl!❤️ have a blessed retirement!!!

[@justkiddin08]

That is amazing!!! Congratulations to this amazing woman! And may she enjoy her retirement.

[@prague5419]

Outstanding! Thank you for being someone that my daughter can look up to.

[@randaanders2378]

Thank you ma’am for your service, and dedication. God has blessed you tremendously, and I pray for your continued success. You are a true hero 🙏

[@jar8459]

Thank you for your service well done.

[@candaceparker7705]

Congratulations on your retirement!! And thank you for your service!! You are appreciated!!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊😍🥰

[@geezerhull]

Well done!

[@IO-zz2xy]

Hope you have a well deserved and long retirement ahead Captain. All the best. Regards from South Africa

[@josuamanueli6774]

stay blessed ma'am ...ur indeed an aspiration to the younger generation of gals

[@Legoflymaster89]

So much respect

[@Pilotin74]

Congratulations Captin‼️

[@Choop4fun]

Thank you for your service to our country Theresa, live long and prosper in your retirement ! ❤❤

[@rickywilliams8844]

Strong that's what we bring. 🎉🎉🎉❤.congratulations on your journey 😊🎉

[@veronicamitchell7423]

Congratulations Capt. Claiborne, on a job well done!!!

[@BossL2460]

May she enjoys her retirement 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤️

[@slarson8044]

Congratulations. Thank you for your service. Have a wonderful and blessed retirement.

[@dandelionijiran9946]

Respect❤❤❤

[@sharonphillips1185]

Congratulations Captain Teresa! What a wonderful journey. Enjoy your retirement!!

[@bajamedic]

Mam, thank you for your service and I wish you only the best in your well deserved retirement.

[@sharoncox3734]

Congratulation! Beautiful!

[@MrTone075]

Congratulations, Captain!

[@vjrei]

What a beautiful lady, gorgeous. So much light. She will still shine.