F-16 Viper Demonstration Team names 1st female pilot, formerly of Shaw Air Force Base 55th Fighter Squadron

Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, certified the new F-16 Viper Demonstration Team pilot and commander ahead of the 2019 season on Tuesday.

Capt. Zoe "SiS" Kotnik is the Air Force's first female single-ship aerial demonstration pilot and has more than 1,000 flying hours in her eight years of military service.

"What I'm looking forward to most is the potential to have an influence on younger generations," Kotnik said. "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."

The new commander, originally assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, solidified her leadership of the team following extensive training including four certifications, off-station training flights and more than 30 practice missions.

This preseason training's goal is to ensure a safe year as the team performs at approximately 20 locations around the world in 2019.

"These shows allow us to demonstrate the capabilities of the F-16 to a world-wide audience while highlighting the work of the airmen who keep the Viper flying," said Master Sgt. Chris Schneider, F-16 VDT superintendent. "It's not every day people get the chance to hear the sound of freedom roaring over their heads or watch a team of maintainers working together to make it happen."

The F-16 VDT gives individuals a firsthand look at the world's premiere multi-role fighter aircraft through precision aerial maneuvers while working toward their mission of inspiring the next generation of airmen while helping the public identify with the military.

The following demonstration schedule may be subject to change:

- March 30-31 - Key West, Florida;

- May 4-5 - Chino, California;

- May 11-12 - Lake Charles, Louisiana;

- May 25-26 - Latrobe, Pennsylvania;

- June 1-2 - Tinker AFB, Oklahoma;

- June 8-9 - Smyrna, Tennessee;

- June 15-16 - Ocean City, Maryland;

- July 4 - Tacoma, Washington;

- July 6-7 - Moose Jaw RCAF, SK, Canada;

- July 23-28 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin;

- July 27-28 - Milwaukee Wisconsin (Heritage only);

- Aug. 3-4 - Ypsilanti, Michigan;

- Sept. 14-15 - Owensboro, Kentucky;

- Sept. 28-29 - MCAS Miramar, California;

- Oct. 5-6 - Sacramento, California;

- Oct. 12-13 - Santa Maria, California;

- Oct. 12-13 - Apple Valley, California (Heritage only);

- Oct. 19-20 - Fort Worth, Texas

- Nov 2-3 - Stuart, Florida; and

- Nov 9-10 - NAS Pensacola, Florida.