Allison Black

Last updated
Colonel
Allison Black
First six USAF airmen to receive the Air Force Combat Action Medal.jpg
Black (Front row, right) on June 12, 2007
Personal details
Children2
Education Wayland Baptist University
Air Force Officer Training School
George Mason University
National Defense University
Military service
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg United States
Branch/serviceFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Years of service1992-2024
Rank US Air Force O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg Colonel
Battles/wars War in Afghanistan
Awards Achievement Medal
Air Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Combat Action Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
Commendation Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
NATO Medal

Colonel Allison K. Black is an American retired military officer. She was given the nickname "Angel of Death" as an AC-130H gunship officer in the United States Air Force during the War in Afghanistan. She was the second woman to ever serve as command of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, from 2022 until her retirement in 2024.

Contents

Military career

In 1992, Black enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist for six years. [1] She served as an SERE instructor at Fairchild Air Force Base. [2] In 1998, she obtained her commission from Air Force Officer Training School after earning a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University. [1] She later obtained her pilot's wings from Undergraduate Pilot Training. [1] Black later earned a master's degree in strategic communications from George Mason University and a master's degree in security studies from the National Defense University. [3]

In 2001, she was deployed as part of the initial response to the September 11 attacks during Operation Enduring Freedom. [3] Throughout the War in Afghanistan, she served as an AC-130H gunship officer. [4] She commanded air support that struck Taliban forces. [4] She was given the nickname "Angel of Death". [1] Black was gifted an AK-47 from Abdul Rashid Dostum. [5]

Over the course of her thirty-two years in the air force, Black logged 3,400 flight hours with 2,000 combat hours in the AC-130H Spectre Gunship and U-28A Draco. [1]

In July 2022, she assumed command of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field in Florida. [5] [6] She retired from the air force on February 23, 2024. [5]

She was the second woman to command the 1st Special Operations Wing, which comprised around 8,600 military and approximately 4,300 civilian personnel at Hurlburt Field. [7]

Awards and decorations

Black received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal. [8]

She received the MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award from the Combat Control Foundation in 2024. [8]

On June 29, 2024, Black was awarded the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution at the society's 133rd Continental Congress. [9] She was presented the award by DAR President General Pamela Rouse Wright and 1st Vice President General Ginnie Storage during National Defense Night ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. [10]

Personal life

Black grew up in East Northport, New York. [1]

She lives in Navarre, Florida with her husband, Ryan, and two sons. [3]

Black is an ambassador for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. [3] On November 11, 2023, she served as the Grand Marshal of the Pensacola Beach Veterans Day Parade. [7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Orr, Christian D. (February 7, 2025). "Meet Col. Allison Black: The USAF's "Angel of Death"". The National Interest . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ Lyle, Amaani (March 23, 2011). "They called her 'The Angel of Death'". American Legion . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Col (Ret) Allison Black". Special Operations Warrior Foundation . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Col. Allison Black: The "Angel of Death" and Her Legacy in Air Combat". MSN . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 White, Matt (February 23, 2024). "Afghanistan's 'Angel of Death' is retiring from Air Force special ops". Task & Purpose . Okaloosa County, Florida: United States Air Force . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ "'Angel of death' leaves legacy during 'Enduring Freedom'". Hurlburt Field . March 25, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Hussey, Laura (November 8, 2023). "Female Hurlburt commander lets actions speak louder than words". NBC15 News. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Recognizing Extraordinary Acts of Service MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award". Combat Control Foundation. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  9. ↑ "18 Honored with Awards Before 3,500 Members and Guests at the Daughters of the American Revolution's 133rd Continental Congress". Cision . July 11, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Award Recipients from Across the Country Honored at Gala Evening Ceremonies at the DAR 133rd Continental Congress". Daughters of the American Revolution . Washington, D.C. July 16, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
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