Lt.
j.g. Madeline Swegle made history when she became the first black female fighter pilot – almost 110 years after naval aviation started.
The US Naval officer from Burke, Virginia completed her training at naval flight school to become a fighter pilot and she is scheduled to receive an insignia called the ‘Wings of Gold.’
Naval Air Training wrote on Twitter: “BZ to Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle on completing the Tactical Air (Strike) aviator syllabus. Swegle is the U.S. Navy’s first known Black female TACAIR pilot and will receive her Wings of Gold later this month. HOOYAH!”
According to the Naval Air Training, Ms. Swegle is the branch’s ‘first known black female TACAIR pilot.’
Her achievement comes more than 45 years after Rosemary Mariner became the first woman to fly a tactical fighter jet in 1974, according to ABC News.
It was in 1908 when Brenda Robinson became the first Black American female graduate from the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School and earned her ‘Wings of Gold.’
The first woman to fly in combat with the Air Force was Arizona Sen. Martha McSally.
Sen. Kamala Harris of California praised Swegle, writing: “You’re paving for young girls everywhere.”
Former NASA astronaut and Navy captain Scot Kelly welcomed the officer into the military family, writing: “Welcome to the best flying organization on earth. Fly Navy, and fly safe!”
Legendary tennis player Billie Jean King also took to Twitter to praise Swegle. He wrote: “Congratulations to LTJG Madeline Swegle who has become the @USNAV’s 1st Black female fighter pilot.
“Her accomplishment comes more than 45 years after Rosemary Mariner become the 1st woman in the Navy to fly tactical jets in 1974.”
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