First-generation American pilot excited to give family free ride on deportation flight

EL PASO, Texas — First-generation American C-17 pilot Capt. Maria Larkin said she was excited to finally give her family a ride on a military aircraft this week after learning they had been scheduled for deportation.

“I’ve been flying C-17s for years and they’ve always wanted to see what I do,” Larkin said. “I just assumed it would be at an air show.”

Instead, Larkin’s parents and three younger siblings are scheduled to board her aircraft during a Department of Homeland Security removal mission from Texas to Central America.

Larkin was born in the United States and later commissioned through Air Force ROTC. Her parents and siblings were born in Mexico.

“So technically I’m still good,” she said. “My husband is also a U.S. citizen and extremely white, which I’m told provides additional force protection.”

Military officials said Larkin’s assignment demonstrates the Defense Department’s commitment to supporting homeland-security operations while maintaining family readiness.

“Few pilots ever get the opportunity to combine professional development with a major family milestone,” said one Air Mobility Command official. “Captain Larkin will be able to log flight hours, support a federal mission, and personally watch her dependents leave the country.”

Larkin said the destination remained confusing.

“My family is from Mexico,” she said. “Apparently we’re taking them to Guatemala.”

Officials explained that exact destinations are determined by operational requirements, diplomatic agreements, and whether anyone involved has enough authority to ask basic questions.

The mission comes as immigration authorities have detained dozens of spouses and parents of active-duty service members, despite longstanding military programs intended to help some family members obtain legal status.

Pentagon officials emphasized that military service remains a strong pathway to citizenship.

“For the service member,” one official clarified.

Larkin said she initially believed her family’s connection to the military might help.

“I figured if I can be trusted to fly a $300 million aircraft into combat, maybe my mom could stay for my promotion ceremony,” she said.

“She cannot.”

Aircrews participating in the missions described the work as reminiscent of previous evacuation operations, with one important difference.

“In Afghanistan, we were flying people out of a dangerous country because they had helped us,” said one C-130 pilot. “Here, we’re flying military families away from the people currently helping us.”

He paused.

“Operationally, though, the per diem is excellent.”

Military officials said troops involved in the deportation missions are encouraged to focus on readiness rather than politics.

“Your job is not to question the mission,” said one mobility officer. “Your job is to execute it safely, efficiently and, if necessary, wave goodbye to your mother from the cockpit.”

Larkin said she planned to make the best of the experience.

“I’m going to give them the full Air Force treatment,” she said. “Safety briefing, turbulence warning, maybe let my little brother see the flight deck before we land.”

She added that her mother had already packed snacks for everyone.

“She still thinks we’re coming back together.”

At press time, Air Mobility Command was reviewing whether Larkin could receive family-separation allowance for deporting her own family.