Nelson is the first Black woman to serve as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, which has been conducting flyovers in cities across the country as a gesture toward first responders, nurses, doctors and other essential workers helping battle the spread of COVID-19 and support their communities.

"I know a small percentage of African American officers, specifically female officers in the Air Force.

So to be in a position that is visible, to show little girls that this is attainable, to let them know they can do anything they put their mind to, is an absolute honor," Nelson said in an interview with NBC 4 Washington.