Historic F-16 fighter pilot encourages girls to fulfill their purpose

  • Published
  • By Capt. Michaela Judge
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Challenges and moments of adversity may have been a part of Maj. Christina Hopper's life at times, but it's certainly not her whole story--instead, as a woman who represents the first African-American female fighter pilot to fly her aircraft in a major war, her legacy is one of fulfilling purpose.

As part of the 8th Annual Women in Aviation Career Day at Joint Base Charleston, Hopper, a member of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, spoke to over 100 young girls representing 18 area schools about fulfilling their own purpose in life.

"I was honored [to have been asked to speak]. I feel like everything that has happened in my life has given me this platform and this opportunity. Though the accomplishments I have are a big deal to me and important to me, what's more important is that it's given me this platform to share with the next generation; hopefully, to inspire them to be anything they want to be," said Hopper.

During her motivational talk, Hopper asked this question of the girls: "Why is it that we can have a specific purpose but never pursue it?"

"I would propose to you that the answer to that [question] is fear...I believe ultimately there are three main fear areas that keep us from pursing our purpose in life and those are the fear of unworthiness, the fear of rejection and the fear of failure," she said.
Hopper used instances in her own life as examples of where she, too, struggled with feelings of unworthiness, rejection and failure.  But these things didn't keep her from overcoming those fears and pursing her dreams.

Back in in her college years, Hopper was actually studying psychology pre-med as a student at the University of Texas. Her plans had always been to go into the Air Force, but as a doctor.

"While I was there my [ROTC] commander asked if I had put in my application for a pilot slot. I told him I didn't think I could do that, because I didn't have a technical degree and I didn't have any flying experience," said Hopper.

Her scores for the Air Force Officer Qualification Test were also low in the flying category.

However, instead of discounting the idea altogether, she told her commander she'd pray about it.

"I prayed about it for a few weeks and then I had a dream that I was flying F-16s. I believe that was God showing me what I was supposed to do. That didn't change the fact that I was still scared to death - but I knew that it was what I was supposed to do, and that helped me not be deterred when I faced obstacles," she said.

Hopper went on to join an elite group of fighter pilots, and has since played an important role in major contingencies to include Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today she represents one of the 678 female pilots in the Air Force, which makes up only five percent of those in the flying community.

As someone who helped pave the way for other females in this career field, Hopper faced some logistical challenges that were inherent in the early stages of women joining the fighter community.

Challenges ranged from how to modify the flight suit and make the gear fit properly for women to ensure safety in the aircraft to going through requalification after a hiatus in flying after having children.

"Having to overcome some of those logistical types of issues just required patience and being honest about the things I was struggling with and my unique needs, as well as working with life support and leadership to find out how we could overcome and adapt to those issues," Hopper said.

When asked what she would say to other women facing challenges in their career field, she emphasized that there are obstacles in life no matter what line of work you might be in.

"You will come into situations and you will meet people who don't want you to succeed. You need to recognize your own worth, that you're competent and qualified to be in that position, and to be confident as you pursue the job that you're doing and to not be afraid," she said.

Though she faced logistical challenges, overall she was well received and accepted in the fighter world; and although she may have done things differently than others, Hopper said she stayed true to herself and was seen as a "sister" among her peers.
Prior to going into the military, Hopper explained that she faced times of adversity among her school-age peers growing up; similar to what others in the audience might be facing.

As a young girl she was often called names for looking different than everyone else and was considered the outsider of the popular groups in school. In fact, at one point this even affected how often she was allowed to play on her basketball team.
But this didn't deter her.

"I think one of the harder things for us to realize when we are put into a position if we are not like everyone else is we want to fit in and fit the mold. When you think about fitting in, that's ordinary. If you want to be and do something extraordinary then it's okay to stand out and be different," she said.

Looking into the audience of young girls, Hopper encouraged them to never let fear stand in the way of fulfilling their purpose and to instead know this truth: "you are worthy, you are creative, you were gifted for the purpose you were called for."
Hopper said she hoped the girls walked away with the idea that they are unique and understood that it's okay to be different than everyone else, to have a different perspective and a different purpose.

Years down the road when she looks back on her life, Hopper wants the legacy she leaves to be one of hope and celebrating differences.

"I hope that one thing people will get from my story is that no matter what I have done, that God has always been central in it. I believe that he is the author and the reason that I have accomplished what I have accomplished. And I hope that message gives hope to other people so they realize whatever circumstances they go through in life and whatever struggles they have, that it doesn't mean that they aren't qualified for greatness