A-10 Pilot Kim Campbell Survives Missile Strike Over Baghdad in 2003

On April 7, 2003, US Air Force pilot Captain Kim Campbell was flying an A-10 Thunderbolt II on a close air support mission over Baghdad, Iraq. The mission took place during Operation Iraqi Freedom, three weeks into the invasion of Iraq.

Campbell and her flight lead, Lieutenant Colonel Rick "Bino" Turner, had been sent to target Iraqi tanks and vehicles being used as a command post. On the way, they received a call that US ground troops needed immediate air support.

After completing her final rocket pass on the target, Campbell's aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile. The explosion sent shrapnel through the fuselage, tore a large hole in the right horizontal stabilizer, and severed both the primary and backup hydraulic systems.

The jet rolled violently to the left and pointed toward the ground. Campbell's controls did not respond to her inputs. She considered ejecting but did not want to do so over Baghdad.

To regain control, Campbell switched the aircraft into manual reversion. This is a backup system unique to the A-10 that lets a pilot fly using a network of mechanical cables, cranks, and pulleys when hydraulics fail. The system is known for being extremely difficult to operate.

The manual reversion system responded, and Campbell was able to climb away from the city. She flew the damaged aircraft back to base in Kuwait, a distance of roughly 300 miles, and landed it safely without ejecting.

Ground crews later found the aircraft had sustained hundreds of shrapnel holes. For her actions that day, Campbell received the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the US Air Force's highest awards.

Campbell returned to flying combat missions the following day, supporting a search and rescue operation near Baghdad. She went on to serve a full career in the Air Force, retiring as a Colonel in 2018.