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Kathy Cosand (nee Rambo) is a former United States Air Force officer. Cosand was among the first 10 women pilots in the US Air Force.

Biography

Cosand born in 1955. She is an AFROTC graduate from the University of Oklahoma (1976), majoring in foreign languages. She was a member of the Arnold Air Society and Pershing Rifles. She began flight training at Williams Air Force Base on September 29, 1976, as one of ten women in UPT Class 77-08,   who earned their wings on September 2, 1977. Kathy began C-141 initial co-pilot qualification at Altus Air Force Base on Oct. 4 1977 as the first rated woman. She graduated 9 Dec 1977. She married Robert Cosand the next day. She then reported to her home unit, the 335th Military Airlift Squadron at McGuire AFB, NJ. By May 1978 (only 4 months on the line) she was awarded the first air medal by a modern day military woman pilot for contingency operations in Zaire. She is the first woman to log 1000, 2000, and 5000 hours as a pilot in the C-141A/B models, as recognized by Lockheed Corporation. Her unit was activated and she flew 800 hours in support of Desert Shield/Storm/Calm. She is a combat veteran. When the 335th MAS was deactivated in 1995, she transitioned to the 732nd Airlift Squadron at McGuire AFB, NJ. Lt. Col. Cosand then transitioned to the Tactical Airlift Control Center (TACC) at Scott AFB, IL, where she served as a Deputy Director of Operations. She was promoted to Colonel in 2004 and served as the first USAF Reserve woman Director of Operations (Senior), and only the second woman to hold the position. In that capacity she was responsible for all Global Airlift Operations when on shift, including the C-5, KC-10s, C-17s, KC-135s, C-130s, C-21s, and all supporting units. She retired May 19, 2006 after 30 years of service.

The ten UPT 77-08 graduates were inducted into the Women in Aviation, international Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2020 these women were honored with the naming of the "Trailblazer Conference Room" at JBSA, AETC HQ. The day included a dedication, luncheon, training, medical, and suiting up in a g-suit to go fly the T-38 again after 43 years.http

Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence)

Air War College (Seminar)

Military Awards and Decorations: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) Air Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5th Oak Leaf Cluster) Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol) Air Force Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait.

Notable firsts in the Air Force. First Air Medal awarded to a modern day female military pilot. First woman to attend the C-141 FirstPilot/Aircraft Commander Course, Altus AFB, OK, in January of 1979. First waiver to fly pregnant (Fall/Winter of 1987) This pregnancy culminated with the birth of daughter Meaghan, who herself is a USAFR C-5 pilot and has flown pregnant also. First female Reservist to be the Senior Director of Operations at the TACC.

Children: Robin Cosand (Capt, retired, former USAFR KC-135 pilot, Grissom ARB, IN, Daughter-in-law, Kat Schmolly), Meaghan Camp (Capt, USAFR, C-5, Travis AFB, CA), Son-in-law Mark Camp (Capt, USAF, KC-10, Travis AFB, CA)

Grandchildren: Orrin Camp (2018), and soon to be Marigold (2020)

In 1994 she was hired by TWA. She flew as a 727 -231 flight engineer and designated line check evaluator for 3 years logging 2000 hours. Then transitioned to the Boeing 757-200/767-200/767-300, logging 3000 hours. TWA was bought by American Airlines. After 9/11  she flew the MD-800 for 300 hours, then furloughed from July 2003-May 2008. Came back as a First Officer on the 757/767 to American Airlines to JFK. Displaced to the MD-80 again. Furloughed Feb 2010 for Supp W, brought back December 2010. 2013, retrained to the 757/767 until retirement 21 April 2020 (age 65).

Her total flying time approximately is 18,000 hours. She has flown to all parts of the globe except Australia/New Zealand, including such notable places asThule, Greenland, Mauritius, Diego Garcia, all major capitols in South American, Alaska.