Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy: CAPT Caitlyn M. Higgins

CAPT Caitlyn M. Higgins
92d Air Refueling Wing,
Fairchild AFB, WA

CAPT Caitlyn M. Higgins, 92d Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, WA, is the Air Mobility Command Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy recipient for 2021.

During multiple compounding emergencies on a flight to deliver a KC-135R Stratotanker to depot maintenance, Higgins showed great poise and leadership under pressure in leading her crew. An electrical system malfunction became apparent on the takeoff roll. The aircraft had just passed the point of no return and the crew was committed to taking the stricken aircraft airborne. Normal and emergency technical procedures were executed as the crew worked through the multi-aircraft-system electrical failure. The control panel indicated the loss of the No. 3 bus tie breaker, disconnected No. 1 and No. 2 generator circuit breakers, and inoperative horizontal situation indicators and attitude directional indicators (ADIs).

Higgins reacted quickly by directing the crew to set up a circular orbit and maintained visual reference to the field, relying solely on the standby compass and ADI. During the establishment of the orbit, the pilot attempted to clean up the aircraft, leading to the copilot’s immediate recognition of a possible split flap situation, preventing the aircraft from entering an uncontrolled rolling flight control configuration. After manually lowering the flaps, the boom operator discovered pooling hydraulic fluid in the boom sighting window, leading to an evaluation of whether the crew would be landing with working hydraulics. The crew executed a visual approach to the runway and safely landed at a full stop. Higgins’ in-depth systems knowledge and decision-making skills ensured that no crew members were injured and that the aircraft was recovered to its home station without incident.