CHILE · DEFENSE
Key Facts
—The milestone: Lt. Francisca Caces became Chile’s first woman to graduate as an F-16 fighter pilot.
—The scope: Chile’s Air Force says she is also the first woman in South America to reach this level.
—The ceremony: She graduated on May 25 at the Cerro Moreno air base in Antofagasta, in the country’s north.
—The path: She entered the air academy in 2015 and trained 15 months for the fighter qualification.
—Latin American impact: A regional first that signals slowly widening roles for women in the area’s armed forces.
Chile has graduated its first woman fighter pilot, a milestone its Air Force calls a first for the country and for South America.
A Historic Fighter Pilot Graduation
Lieutenant Francisca Caces, 29, has become the first woman in Chile to qualify as an F-16 fighter pilot. The Chilean Air Force says she is also the first woman in South America to reach that level. The F-16 is one of the most widely used combat aircraft in the world.
The graduation took place on May 25 at the Cerro Moreno air base in Antofagasta, in northern Chile. The ceremony was led by the head of the Air Force, General Hugo Rodriguez. He called the achievement a source of double pride for the institution.
Caces graduated alongside other new pilots from the same demanding course. Commanders noted that very few women worldwide have earned this qualification. Her family and senior officers attended the event.
The Road to the Cockpit
Caces entered Chile’s air academy in 2015. She first trained on the T-35 Pillan, a basic trainer built in Chile, and graduated in 2019. From there she moved through a series of postings and advanced courses.
The fighter qualification itself took 15 months. Commanders described it as a complex process that tested discipline, study and dedication. It moved from classroom theory to flying, and then to advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface training.
After her graduation, Caces summed up the moment in a line that drew wide attention. She said she was the first, but not the last, adding that the sky was never the limit. The phrase quickly spread on Chilean media.
A Wider Regional Shift
The milestone lands beyond Chile. Across Latin America, armed forces have slowly opened more roles to women, including in combat. A regional first in fighter aviation is a visible marker of that change.
For Chile, it also fits a long investment in its Air Force. The country has operated F-16s for two decades and trains its pilots to a high standard. Adding a woman to the front-line ranks broadens the pool it can draw on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Francisca Caces?
She is a 29-year-old lieutenant in the Chilean Air Force and the first woman in Chile to qualify as an F-16 fighter pilot. The Air Force says she is also the first woman in South America to reach this level.
When and where did she graduate?
She graduated on May 25, 2026, at the Cerro Moreno air base in Antofagasta, in northern Chile. The head of the Air Force, General Hugo Rodriguez, led the ceremony.
How long was the training?
The fighter qualification took 15 months, moving from classroom theory to flying and then advanced combat training. She first entered Chile’s air academy in 2015 and trained on a locally built basic aircraft.
Connected Coverage
For more on the region’s defense sector, see our report on Canada’s choice of a Saab radar plane over a US model, and our coverage of Brazil’s Marines scrapping their last light tanks.
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