francisco costa, director

Francisco Costa is a highly accomplished aviator, military veteran, and dedicated advocate for the aviation community. Francisco’s military career includes serving as an Airborne Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment and a Nightstalker with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), flying the AH-64D Apache and MH-47G Chinook.

Francisco’s distinguished career includes participation in some of the most pivotal missions in modern history, including the operations to eliminate Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role as one of the pilots during the mission that successfully neutralized al-Baghdadi. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Francisco is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Boeing Rescue Award.

After retiring from the military, Francisco transitioned to the commercial aviation sector, where he serves as a First Officer with Frontier Airlines. Beyond the cockpit, he is the Director of Development for the Latin Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), where his strategic leadership has driven the organization to raise over $2.4 million in scholarships since 2021, directly supporting aspiring aviators and fostering diversity in aviation.

Francisco’s academic accomplishments include dual bachelor’s degrees in Aviation and Interdisciplinary Business Studies, along with an MBA from The College of William & Mary.

As a candidate for national leadership within the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, his vision includes expanding the society’s outreach, fostering connections among members, and ensuring the DFCS continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration and support for heroes past and presentFrancisco Costa is a highly accomplished aviator, military veteran, and dedicated advocate for the aviation community. Francisco’s military career includes serving as an Airborne Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment and a Nightstalker with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), flying the AH-64D Apache and MH-47G Chinook.

Francisco’s distinguished career includes participation in some of the most pivotal missions in modern history, including the operations to eliminate Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role as one of the pilots during the mission that successfully neutralized al-Baghdadi. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Francisco is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Boeing Rescue Award.

After retiring from the military, Francisco transitioned to the commercial aviation sector, where he serves as a First Officer with Frontier Airlines. Beyond the cockpit, he is the Director of Development for the Latin Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), where his strategic leadership has driven the organization to raise over $2.4 million in scholarships since 2021, directly supporting aspiring aviators and fostering diversity in aviation.

Francisco’s academic accomplishments include dual bachelor’s degrees in Aviation and Interdisciplinary Business Studies, along with an MBA from The College of William & Mary.

As a candidate for national leadership within the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, his vision includes expanding the society’s outreach, fostering connections among members, and ensuring the DFCS continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration and support for heroes past and present