Maj. Bryce Turner, a test pilot hailing from the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California, has accomplished a significant feat by becoming the first U.S. Air Force pilot to soar through the skies in the cutting-edge Boeing T-7A Red Hawk. This momentous event took place on Jun. 28 during a test flight at the Boeing aircraft delivery center in St. Louis, Missouri, marking a historic milestone for both Turner and the Air Force.
Photo By Adam Bowles
For Maj. Bryce Turner, this remarkable achievement is more than just a personal milestone—it carries the weight of a storied family legacy deeply rooted in aviation. As a third-generation Air Force fighter pilot, Turner follows in the esteemed footsteps of his grandfather, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Parker Turner, who blazed a trail as one of the first African American jet pilots in 1956, and his father, Col. (Ret.) Bryan Turner, who made history as the Air Force’s first African American F-22 pilot. Aptly nicknamed “Triple,” Turner’s callsign pays homage to the three generations of Airmen that have shaped his remarkable journey.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking experience, Maj. Bryce Turner expressed his admiration for the next generation of aviators. He noted, “This aircraft’s performance, commitment to pilot safety, and ground-based training system is something I could only dream of during my time in flight training. The T-7A performs like a fighter!” Turner’s words capture the profound impact that the T-7A and its advanced capabilities will have on shaping the future of aerial warfare and preparing the Air Force’s elite pilots to face the challenges of tomorrow.
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