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:

Despite a rich legacy of Black aviators like the Tuskegee Airmen, Black pilots remain severely underrepresented in the U.S. Air Force, making up only 2% of active-duty pilots.
A Department of the Air Force Inspector General review highlighted significant racial disparities, finding that Black service members are more likely to face military discipline and are underrepresented in operational career fields.
Personal experiences, such as Major Daniel Walker's encounters with racial bias mirroring generational struggles, underscore the persistent systemic issues that have led some Black pilots to leave the service.
The Air Force has acknowledged these deeply rooted problems and is implementing various initiatives, including increased outreach, diversity programs, and policy revisions, to address racial disparities and foster greater inclusion.

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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.