Equipping | Trailblazing Navy Pilot & Hero of Flight 1380

Tammie Jo Shults developed an early passion for flying, overcoming numerous obstacles to become one of the first female F/A-18 Hornet pilots in the U.S. Navy. Before women were allowed in combat roles, she taught “Out of Control Flight” and served as a bogey/bandit against Top Gun students and other squadrons. After her Navy career, Tammie Jo flew over forest fires and later became a pilot for Southwest Airlines. Her skill and composure gained worldwide recognition on April 17, 2018, when she safely landed Southwest Flight 1380 after an engine failure at high altitude—saving 148 lives. Her memoir, Nerves of Steel, became a National Bestseller. Since retiring from commercial flying in 2020, she continues to volunteer as a pilot and serves on aviation boards. Her honors include an honorary doctorate in Humanities, induction into the International Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Wings Club of New York’s Outstanding Aviator Award. Tammie Jo and her husband, Dean, live in Texas.