{"id":38157,"date":"2019-02-12T17:39:24","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T17:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/02\/12\/first-female-viper-demo-team-pilot-relieved-after-two-weeks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:10:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:10:27","slug":"first-female-viper-demo-team-pilot-relieved-after-two-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2019\/02\/12\/first-female-viper-demo-team-pilot-relieved-after-two-weeks\/","title":{"rendered":"First female Viper demo team pilot relieved of command after two weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Capt. Zoe Kotnik, the first female pilot to head the F-16 Viper demonstration team<\/a>, was relieved of command Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCol. Derek O\u2019Malley, 20th Fighter Wing<\/a> commander, relieved Capt. Zoe Kotnik from command Feb. 11 due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead and command the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper demonstration team,\u201d said Col. Allen Herritage, director of public affairs at ACC, in a statement. \u201cThe Viper demonstration team<\/a> is working to minimize impacts on scheduled performances and looks forward to inspiring crowds around the country during the upcoming season as soon as a new commander is selected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herritage would not comment further on what led to Kotnik\u2019s removal, citing privacy concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 20th, which is located at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, said in an email to Air Force Times that Kotnik declined to comment. Capt. Alannah Staver, a spokeswoman for the wing, said that Kotnik is no longer performing with the team, but \u201cwill continue to serve in a non-supervisory role in the 20th Fighter Wing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement on Shaw\u2019s Facebook page, O\u2019Malley alluded to \u201cmistakes\u201d on Kotnik\u2019s part, but expressed hope that she will continue to serve in the Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have thousands of airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect,\u201d O\u2019Malley said. \u201cAs good people, like Capt. Kotnik, make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny and to continue to be a part of this great service. They\u2019ll be better for the experience, and in turn, we\u2019ll be better as an Air Force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn these types of situations, I never forget that we\u2019re dealing with real human beings, that I care deeply about, and that we are charged to take care of,\u201d O\u2019Malley continued. \u201cThis will be a difficult time for Capt. Kotnik, but she\u2019s surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kotnik, an F-16C pilot whose call sign is \u201cSiS,\u201d was certified as the Viper team leader by ACC commander Gen. Mike Holmes on Jan. 29. She graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2011, earned her wings in 2013, and has more than 1,000 flying hours in military aircraft. She deployed to Kunsan Air Base in South Korea for a year, from February 2015 to February 2016. She also has flown air defense missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle.<\/p>\n\n\n\t