Page 9 - Black History Month 2022 - Combined Special Edition of Aerotech News and Review — Nellis AFB - Creech AFB Desert Lightning News
P. 9
Lloyd “Fig” Newton was first Black Thunderbird pilot
Lloyd Newton was the first African at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., in officer with the U.S. House of Rep-
American pilot to fly with the U.S. Air 1967, and attended F-4D qualification resentatives, Washington, D.C. From
Force Thunderbirds demonstration training at George Air Force Base, Ca- 1993 to 1995, he was director of opera-
team. lif. Flying the F-4D Phantom II, he flew tions, J-3, of the United States Special
He was born on Dec. 24, 1942, in 269 combat missions during the Viet- Operations Command.
Ridgeland, S.C., to tenant farmers. His nam War, including 79 missions over Newton is one of 11 four-star gener-
parents worked the land with Newton North Vietnam. als in the United States Air Force. From
right alongside them, which taught him From the beginning of his career 1997 to 2000, he was commander of
to appreciate the value of hard labor. in the Air Force, Newton wanted to Air Education and Training Command
Newton attended segregated schools become a member of the elite flying
in South Carolina and ultimately gradu- demonstration team, the Thunderbirds. at the Randolph Air Force Base in
ated from Jasper High School. After Ten years after entering the Air Force, Texas, where he recruited, trained, and
high school, Newton enrolled in the he achieved his goal, becoming the first educated all Air Force personnel. He
Reserve Officer Training Corps at African American pilot to join that elite has received a number of awards and
Tennessee State University in Nash- team. accolades, such as the Defense Dis-
ville. He was named a Distinguished As a Thunderbird, he held several tinguished Service Medal, Air Force
Graduate of the program, receiving his positions, such as narrator, slot pilot Distinguished Service Medal, Legion
Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Educa- and right wingman. He served with of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross,
tion and a commission as an officer in the Thunderbirds from 1975 to 1978. and the Meritorious Service Medal.
the U.S. Air Force. From 1978 to 1982, he was assigned Newton retired from the Air Force
He later completed pilot training as an Air Force congressional liaison in 2000.
Air Force photograph
Lloyd “Fig” Newton became the first African American to fly with the USAF
Thunderbirds Aerial Display Team in in 1975.
Air Force photograph
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January 28, 2022 Aerotech News and Review 9
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