XPost: alt.gossip.celebrities, sac.general, alt.politics.democrats.d
XPost: talk.politics.guns

Got sick of her shit.

The day she was announced as the first female pilot to lead an
elite Air Force demonstration team, Capt. Zoe Kotnik was likened
to a comic book superhero and soon featured almost daily in
social media posts promoting the service.

But by Monday, just two weeks after her Jan. 29 appointment to
head the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper demonstration team, the
Air Force said Kotnik had been relieved of her command due to a
“loss of confidence” in her ability to lead. Col. Derek
O’Malley, the 20th Fighter Wing commander, alluded to mistakes
the pilot made, but he did not provide a specific reason why she
was suddenly removed.

Capt. Zoe Kotnik was relieved of her duties as the head of the
Air Combat Command F-16 Viper demonstration team.
Capt. Zoe Kotnik was relieved of her duties as the head of the
Air Combat Command F-16 Viper demonstration team. (U.S. Air
Force)

“I removed Capt. Kotnik from her position as the commander of
the Viper Demo team [Monday], because I lost confidence in her
ability to lead the team.” O’Malley said. “I know that loss of
confidence is a common response from the Air Force, whenever
someone is removed from a command position, and I think it’s
important to understand why we take this approach.”

STRANGERS WHO ATTENDED AIR FORCE VETERAN’S FUNERAL ‘CAME
TOGETHER AS AMERICANS,’ SAYS ORGANIZER

Kotnik’s historic appointment was widely promoted by the
military, and she even appeared as a comic book-like character
in the Viper demo team's “Captain Marvel”-inspired video Jan.
29. The pilot continued to appear in social media posts until
Monday.

View image on Twitter

U.S. Dept of Defense
?
@DeptofDefense
Flying high! @USAirForce Capt. Zoe “SiS” Kotnik, performs a
precision flying demonstration over #ShawAFB, S.C., as part of
the @USAF_ACC’s F-16 @ViperDemoTeam.

508
9:00 AM - Feb 6, 2019
161 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
“Flying high! @USAirForce Capt. Zoe “SiS” Kotnik, performs a
precision flying demonstration over #ShawAFB, S.C., as part of
the @USAF_ACC’s F-16 @ViperDemoTeam,” the U.S. Department of
Defense account tweeted on Feb. 6 along with a photo of Kotnik.

The Air Force pilot was appointed to the role after eight years
in the military. Using the call sign SiS, Kotnik was the Air
Force’s first female single-ship aerial demonstration pilot with
over 1,000 flying hours.

Embedded video

Military Flight ????
@Military_Flight
Monday Thrust! Air Combat Command's F-16 #ViperDemoTeam's new
pilot Capt. Zoe "SiS" Kotnik performs a demonstration flight on
Thursday morning.
This new video highlights her 2019 #airshow flight profile.
[Video: SSgt J. Warren]
Full Story: https://www.avgeekery.com/f-16-viper-demo-team- selects-first-female-pilot-for-2019/ …

10
6:16 AM - Feb 4, 2019
See Military Flight ????'s other Tweets
Twitter Ads info and privacy
She previously told Live Airshow TV about how she got her call
sign.

“The story that I can share about the call sign is that I’ve
been one of the only women in most of my squadrons in the Air
Force, through pilot training and in most of my past squadrons,”
she said. “So I am the little sister of the squadron.”

Kotnik graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned
her wings in 2013. She spent a year in South Korea at the Kunsan
Air Base flying F-16s with the 35th Fighter Squadron, her
biography stated. Most recently, Kotnik was on missions in
support of Operation Noble Eagle, the air defense effort created
after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

THOUSANDS ANSWER CALL TO ATTEND 'UNACCOMPANIED' AIR FORCE VET'S
TEXAS FUNERAL

The Wisconsin native went through extensive training that
included four certifications, off-station training flights and
more than 30 practice missions before being named the commander
of the Viper demo team. Kotnik previously said she hoped to
influence those who had yet to enter the service with her
accomplishments.

“What I’m looking forward to most is the potential to have an
influence on younger generations,” Kotnik said in an Air Combat
Command news release. “I know firsthand how impactful airshows
can be and what a difference it makes to young people to see
just one example of what they too can do and who they can
become. I hope to be a source of inspiration and motivation they
can draw from to apply in their own lives.”

Kotnik graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned
her wings in 2013.
Kotnik graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned
her wings in 2013. (U.S. Air Force)

As Viper Demo team commander, Kotnik was expected to lead 20
show site visits, with the first at Naval Air Station Key West
in Florida on March 30 and 31.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

O’Malley said Monday he hoped Kotnik will continue to serve the
Air Force despite being relieved of her duties.

“In these types of situations, I never forget that we’re dealing
with real human beings, that I care deeply about, and that we
are charged to take care of. This will be a difficult time for
Capt. Kotnik, but she’s surrounded by wingmen that will help her
every step of the way,” O’Malley said.

Kotnik has not addressed her removal and appeared to have
deleted her social media accounts following Monday’s
announcement. Fox News’ call to her was not answered.

Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Malinda Singleton said they did not
have further comment on the matter beyond their initial
statement.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-is-capt-zoe-kotnik-first-female- viper-demo-team-commander-who-was-ousted-after-2-weeks
 

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)