MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award

Col. (ret) Allison Black, known as the "Angel of Death," has had a remarkable 32-year career in the United States Air Force, culminating in her final command of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. A native of East Northport, New York, she enlisted in 1992 as a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Specialist and later earned her undergraduate degree from Wayland Baptist University. Commissioned in 1998, she went on to earn her Navigator Wings, serving in USSOCOM and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Less than 90 days after the September 11 attacks, nerves were still raw when 1LT Allison Black arrived in Uzbekistan. Assigned as an AC-130H gunship navigator, her assignment was to plot routes, communicate with ground forces, and identify targets in the darkness below. On her first combat mission, she and her crew provided close-air support to Special Operations forces traveling on horseback with intelligence from Afghan Northern Alliance soldiers.

During this mission near the enemy-held city of Kandahar, Afghanistan, Black and her crew took anti-aircraft fire from the Taliban. Despite initially destroying a bank of rocket launchers and several enemy trucks, they faced significant resistance. With the help of Northern Alliance general Abdul Rashid Dostum, they identified a nearby safehouse hiding over 200 Taliban and al Qaeda soldiers. As they approached the target, Black's voice over the radio shattered the silence, surprising the Northern Alliance general, who remarked, "A woman, sent to kill the Taliban."

Under heavy enemy fire, Black's crew fired over 400 rounds of 40mm cannon and 100 rounds of 105mm howitzer at the target, killing more than 200 enemy combatants. The Afghan general, impressed by her effectiveness, dubbed her the "Angel of Death" and told the enemy over their frequency, "America is so determined, they bring their women to kill the Taliban. It is the 'angel of death' raining fire upon you."

For her actions, Black received the Air Force Combat Action Medal in a ceremony in front of the Air Force Memorial in Washington. She was the first woman to receive this prestigious medal.

Reflecting on her career and the evolving role of women in the military, Black commented in a CNN interview that the standards must remain the same, emphasizing the importance of being physically, mentally, and technically capable. She believes that introducing women into key roles could provide the critical edge needed for future conflicts. This sentiment echoes the prediction made by the Afghan general back in 2001: "Look at what America allows their women to do. One day our country will have similar freedoms."

Black continued to excel in her career, accumulating over 3,400 flight hours, including 2,000 combat hours in the AC-130H Spectre Gunship and U-28A Draco. She commanded at all levels, including her final role as Commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, overseeing approximately 4,600 personnel and 80 aircraft across seven flying squadrons.

Her leadership and dedication have left a lasting legacy in the Air Force and SOF community. Black holds a master’s degree in Strategic Communications from George Mason University and a master’s in Security Studies from the National Defense University. Her story continues to inspire and empower future generations, particularly women, in the military and beyond.