Why Are There So Few African American Air Force Pilots?

The U.S. Air Force has fewer than 300 active-duty Black pilots, and one just quit. Here's why.

Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:35 AM ET

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Lt. Col. Charles Gilliam, 14th Student Squadron Director of Operations, poses for a photo with Capt. D. L. Booker, 14th Student Squadron Flight Commander, 1st Lt. Tim Jefferson Jr., 14th Operations Support Squadron Chief of Wing Airspace, and Maj. Brandon Jones, 14th Student Squadron Flight Commander, on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, February 1. [Courtesy: Columbus Air Force Base]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force continues to face a significant underrepresentation of Black pilots, with only 2 percent of active-duty pilots being Black, a disparity that has persisted for decades despite early desegregation efforts.
Black service members, exemplified by Major Daniel Walker, frequently encounter racial bias and systemic issues, including disproportionate disciplinary actions and limited opportunities in elite operational roles, as confirmed by an internal Racial Disparity Review.
Historically, the Air Force has shown cycles of initial progress in diversity followed by periods where issues of racial inequality festered, particularly concerning promotions and officer representation.
In response to these long-standing challenges and recent calls for change, Air Force leadership has committed to and initiated various programs and policy reforms aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment, training, and career development.

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Editor’s Note: This article is part of a month-long series celebrating Black History Month through aviation: Feb. 1: African American Pioneers in Flight and Space | Feb. 4: Legacy Flying Academy | Feb. 10: Why Aren’t There More Black Pilots in the Air Force? | Feb. 11: Jesse L. Brown | Feb. 15: Meet Four African Americans Making a Difference in Aviation | Feb. 18: From “Hidden Figures” to “Artemis” | Feb. 22: CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright | Feb. 25: Cal Poly Humboldt

By the time U.S. Air Force Major Daniel Walker climbed into the cockpit of a F-22 fighter jet for the first time, he was already taking off into the wind, buoyed by family legacy.