Maj. Christina "Thumper" Hopper is a T-38 instructor pilot with the 5th Flying Training Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Hopper flew numerous combat air patrol missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle protecting the President of the United States and critical US infrastructure. In 2002-2003, she deployed to Kuwait supporting Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. During those operations, Hopper flew more than 50 combat missions and became the first African-American female fighter pilot to fight in a major war.