News United States Air Force
 Reserve pioneer of Women in Aviation celebrated through artPublished March 26, 2022
                        
                        
                        AFRC Office and History and Heritage
                **ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) --**
                The contributions to aviation history of retired Air Force Reserve Col. Kathy Cosand were celebrated March 18, with the unveiling of a fine art oil painting of her at the Women in Aviation International Conference in Nashville.
“I am so honored to be part of this historical moment with the unveiling of Col. Kathy Rambo Cosand's portrait today,” said **Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost**, commander of **U.S. Transportation Command**. “In 1976, the U.S. Air Force opened pilot training to women. After maxing out the score for the pilot exam, Kathy was accepted as the only Reservist in the first class of pilot-trained women in the U.S. Air Force. She has been shattering glass ever since.”
During her 30 years serving as a reserve Airman, Cosand achieved many firsts to include being the first woman to fly the C-141 Starlifter, to be awarded the **Air Medal**, to attend aircraft commander training, and to receive a waiver to fly during her pregnancy.
“In her 40 plus years of flying, both for the military and as a civilian, Col. Kathy Cosand has empowered and encouraged the next generation of women aviators — and to her, we say thank you,” Van Ovost said.U.S. Air Force Reserve 2nd Lt. Kat Justen, Air Force Reserve Command Office of History and Heritage combat artist, smiles and talks with conference attendees while signing autographs.Retired Col. Kathy Cosand, first Air Force Reserve Command female pilot and 2nd Lt. Kat Justen, Air Force Reserve Command Office of History and Heritage combat artist, sign lithographs and engage with attendees at the Women in Aviation International Conference in Nashville, Tenn., March 18, 2022. During the event, Cosand was recognized for her contributions to women in aviation history as being the first woman to fly the C-141 Starlifter, to be awarded the Air Medal, to attend aircraft commander training, and to receive a waiver to fly during her pregnancy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Warren Neary)
            
            
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**Brig. Gen. Dana Nelson**, **U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa** mobilization assistant to the deputy commander; Cosand; and 2nd Lt. Kat Justen, **Air Force Reserve Command** Office of History and Heritage combat artist. During the event, Cosand expressed gratitude for the distinguished guests, attendees, her family and AFRC.
“I would like to thank the Air Force Reserve for giving me the opportunity of having gone to pilot training and to stay flying for 25 years in the same career field,” Cosand said. “Also, something I wanted to show (in the painting) was the dual role of the service and the civilian pilot, and Kat illustrated that beautifully.”
The painting was created by Justen as part of the **Heritage and Combat Art Division** of the AFRC Office of History and Heritage. Heritage and combat art informs, inspires and connects Airmen into the history and legacy of the Air Force Reserve with the total force, joint and coalition partners. The Heritage and Combat Art Division supports the Air Force Art Program and continues a combat art tradition along with combat artists in the other armed services that dates back to the Roman Empire.
“Through their brilliant pieces, these artists, especially today's artist, 2nd Lt. Kat Justen, not only provide a visual record of our history, but empower and connect past and present generations to our heritage,” Van Ovost said. “This painting provides a long-lasting inspiration for future aviators.”LR 



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