Lieutenant Colonel Peggy Carnahan (Ret)
Lieutenant Colonel Margaret "Peggy" Dennis Carnahan is a native of Momence, Illinois, and was the valedictorian of Momence High School in 1976. A member of the first class to admit females, she graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Humanities, and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF. She is a graduate of Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College, and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix.
Colonel Carnahan was a Distinguished Graduate of Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma in 1981. A distinguished Graduate of T-37 Pilot Instructor Training at Randolph AFB, Texas in 1982, she returned to the 8th Flying Training Squadron at Vance AFB as a T-37 Instructor Pilot, Check Pilot, Squadron Executive Officer and Assistant Flight Commander.
In 1985, Colonel Carnahan transferred to the 557th Flying Training Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy as a T-41 Instructor Pilot. She also served as Assistant Operations Officer, Supervisor of Flying, Progress Check Pilot and Flight Commander.
Colonel Carnahan then reported to the 3305th School Squadron at Randolph AFB, Texas as T-37 Ground Training Instructional Program Developer and Computer Based Training Branch Chief. There, she flew with the 559th Flying Training Squadron as a T-37 Pilot Instructor Training Instructor Pilot.
After graduating from Air Command and Staff College in 1992, Colonel Carnahan reported to the Pentagon as Rated Manpower Manager, Directorate of Manpower and Organization, Headquarters USAF. S She also served as CINC and Joint Issues Action Officer, and Executive Officer, Directorate of Programs and Evaluation. In January 1996, Colonel Carnahan transferred to the 559th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph AFB, Texas, serving as Operations Officer and then Commander until May 1999. Colonel Carnahan then served as Deputy Commander for the 12th Operations Group, facilitating the preparations for the new T-6 aircraft. She retired from the USAF on 1 August 2000.
Upon her retirement, Colonel Carnahan joined American Airlines as an MD-80 First Officer, based at New York's LaGuardia Airport and O'Hare International Airport. She was furloughed from American Airlines on 2 March 2004, and is currently working as a substitute teacher. She is married to Lieutenant Colonel Bob Carnahan, USAF (ret), who is a pilot with World Airways. They operate a registered Black Angus cattle operation in southwest Missouri.
Colonel Carnahan is a command pilot with over 3,325 military flying hours, and over 5,500 total flying hours. Her decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. An active member of Women Military Aviators since 1982, she has served on various committees and organized the 1987 convention in Colorado Springs.