On August 9, 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Silvana Díaz Bohórquez marked a milestone in the history of the Colombian Air Force, by becoming the first woman pilot-in-command of a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Lt. Col. Díaz, who has 22 years of military service, spoke with Diálogo about her achievements and her military career.
Diálogo: What does it mean to be the first woman pilot-in-command of a C-130 Hercules in the history of Colombian military aviation?
Colombian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Silvana Díaz Bohórquez, C-130 Hercules pilot-in-command: It’s a source of pride, an honor, an immense challenge, and an incredible responsibility. The C-130 is a versatile plane. Its main mission is the transport of personnel and cargo, but it also carries out other missions, such as special operations, firefighting, and mass transfer of patients. Being the first woman at the command of this aircraft means and represents a lot to me, personally and professionally, because it enables me to open the doors and set a new course for my peers who belong to, have started, or are interested in joining the military forces.
Diálogo: How did you prepare to fly a C-130 Hercules?
Lt. Col. Díaz: I entered the Marco Fidel Suárez Aviation Military School in 1999, and after graduating I began an institutional career plan that stipulated flying light aircraft first, then medium-sized aircraft, and finally heavy aircraft, such as the C-130. After 22 years of service, I have accumulated 6,150 flight hours, which give me enough experience and, undoubtedly, [have helped me] acquire vast criteria for decision-making, especially at critical moments during a flight. In February 2021, I formally began training on the C-130, and after passing the required instruction and supervision, on August 9, I became certified as a pilot; that is, I received the endorsement to conduct solo flights.
Diálogo: Why did you decide to become a pilot?
Lt. Col. Díaz: It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a child, but it was not until my third year of school that I had direct contact with an airplane, when I started flying. However, on my first mission I got dizzy and began to doubt whether the profession I had chosen was really the right one, but this doubt was soon dispelled. Being a pilot is my life, my devotion!
Diálogo: Which was your most challenging mission, and what did you learn from it?
Lt. Col. Díaz: When we were transporting a soldier wounded by an antipersonnel mine. I was the pilot, and the crew informed me that we had to land soon, because otherwise the soldier wouldn’t make it. I flew with a lot of faith and precision; every second was vital. I asked constantly for reports on the patient, and we managed to land in Bogotá. I felt happy when I learned that the soldier had survived. I felt as always — but that time in a very special way — the satisfaction of fulfilling my duties.
Diálogo: The risk factor and the adrenaline are part of your profession. How do you handle it?
Lt. Col. Díaz: The risk when flying is unavoidable, but it’s totally manageable, because learning to face it and overcome it is part of our training, education, and decision-making process. It really is pure adrenaline to get on a plane, to take off and land. What is most important is the passion and dedication for what I do; that’s why when I fly, I feel that I am not just working, but I firmly believe that it’s what I like, and I execute it with love and total conviction.