Fight Like a Girl! by Rick Herter

This painting, tells the heroic story of Capt. Kim “KC” Campbell. While on a combat mission attacking Iraqi ground forces over Baghdad, “KC” was hit by a surface to air missile at only 5,000 feet. The strike severed all hydraulics and the airplane violently pitched down and began to roll out of control. "KC" immediately engaged the emergency manual reversion system over the flight controls.

With great effort and concentration while the Iraqis were continuing to fire at her, “KC” was able to regain control and recover the jet. Once away from Baghdad, “KC’s” wingman and flight leader advised her to eject. The aircraft had lost major portions of the flight control surface and had over 200 holes punched in it. However, though heavily damaged, she believed she could save the airplane and fly it back to Kuwait.

“KC” approached Al-Jaber airfield and after a delicate approach, became one of very few pilots to ever recover an A-10 in manual reversion. Most attempting the feat before her were either killed or seriously injured! For her actions on 7 April 2003, Capt. “KC, Killer Chick” Campbell received the Distinguished Flying Cross.