ACC aviator garners federal recognition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason J. Brown
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  Lt. Col. Shelly Black, deputy chief of Headquarters Air Combat Command's Personnel Recovery Division, received the 2011 Federally Employed Women Military Meritorious Service Award July 18 at the 42nd National Training Program in Philadelphia, Penn., for her significant contributions in highlighting and improving women's roles in the military.

Black's pioneering efforts in Air Force combat search and rescue made a significant impression on more than 1,000 members of the rescue community. As the first female rescue squadron commander and the first woman to lead a rescue squadron in combat, she paved the way for future Air Force women to follow.

Black determined that combat rescue female aircrew members needed a sisterhood, and created and distributed a "women's flight" coin for all female rescue aircrew personnel. Recognizing the low retention among women flyers, she starred in an Air Force "Do Something Amazing" video, demonstrating that women can be successful aviators, talented mothers and wives. In addition, she led a two-ship HH-60 formation flight to Taji Air Base, Iraq, where she briefed an Iraqi wing commander on the combat rescue mission, achieving a dual effect of educating the Iraqi helicopter community on the combat rescue mission and making strides for Iraqi women.

"I've spent my career trying not to be the 'woman pilot,' but rather just a pilot. Women have come a long way in the Air Force, but we still have a long way to go in breaking these traditionally male-dominated missions and being the best in our jobs," Black said. "Women have a ton to offer the Air Force, and our leadership and dedication is unique and valuable.

"I am humbled to receive this award on behalf of the all the men and women in the rescue community, but most especially the deployed crews who are saving lives day in and day out," she added.

The award is presented to military members or Department of Defense civilian employees who have distinguished themselves by making a significant contribution to their country in the area of civil, human rights, race relations, equal opportunity, affirmative action, human resources, and public service. They must also foster support and understanding of the armed services among and between minority and non-minority members of the military and civilian population of the nation with a better understanding between the races both in the armed forces and the private sector.