She was given the nickname "Angel of Death" as an AC-130H gunship officer in the United States Air Force during the War in Afghanistan.

In 1992, Black enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist for six years.

[2] In 1998, she obtained her commission from Air Force Officer Training School after earning a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University.

[5] She was the second woman to command the 1st Special Operations Wing, which comprised around 8,600 military and approximately 4,300 civilian personnel at Hurlburt Field.

[9] She was presented the award by DAR President General Pamela Rouse Wright and 1st Vice President General Ginnie Storage during National Defense Night ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.[10] Black grew up in East Northport, New York.