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50 Years of Women Flying in the Navy

Home

50 Years of Women Flying in the Navy



ABOUT
                                Our Core Values
                    Our Core Attributes
                    Mission
                    Our Heritage
                    LEADERSHIP
                                Secretary of the Navy
                    Chief of Naval Operations
                                America's Warfighting Navy
                    Vice Chief of Naval Operations
                    Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
                    Chief of Naval Personnel
                    Senior Executives
                    Flag Officer Biographies
                    PRESS OFFICE
                                Press Briefings
                    Press Releases
                    Testimony
                    Speeches
                    Statements
                    News Stories
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                    PAY & PERSONNEL
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                    Contact MyNavy Career Center
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                    Contact Us
                    TRANSLATE  50 Years of Women Flying in the Navy graphic
HomeWhere it all began
            
                TimelineFemale aviators in Navy history
            
                MilestonesSignificant events
            
                Questions?Contact us hereCapt. Rosemary Mariner

Vice Admiral Nora Tyson

Lt. Amanda Lee

In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola, and one year later six of those eight women, titled "The First Six", earned their Wings of Gold. In the fifty years since, Naval Aviation has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally. Today, our women aviators project power from the sea and in every type, model, and series aircraft. They fly and fight in all strike missions, hunt submarines, protect the integrity of our nuclear triad, supply essential cargo and personnel to every corner of the globe, and rescue those in distress at sea and ashore. They command aircraft carriers, carrier air wings, squadrons, and missions to space. In 2023, we reflect on our Naval Aviation history and pay tribute to all of our women Naval Aviators- “The First Six”, and all those who have come after them. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
            
                Timeline April through June

Timeline July through October

Download Timeline
11100 x 3300 pixels
23.7 MB
            
                1960-1979
            
                1980-1989
            
                1990-1999
            
                2000-2009
            
                2010-2019
            
                2020-PresentSignificant milestones title graphic

June 24, 1964: PHC Clara B. Johnson

 Received the designation of aerial photographer, the first woman in the Navy with the right to wear the wings of an aircrewman.
 December 20, 1973: Lts. Jane O. McWilliams and Victoria M. Voge

 Became the first women naval flight surgeons upon their graduation from the Naval Flight Surgeon Training Program.
 1972: Airman Roseann Roberts

 The first Navy woman Helicopter Plane Captain
 August 7, 1972: “Z- Gram” on Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women
 March 2, 1973: Four of the first class of women begin flight school
 February 22, 1974: LCDR Barbara Allen Rainey

 The first woman Naval Aviator to earn her wings
 February 1974: CAPT Judith Neuffer Bruner

 One of the first six women to earn her wings
 April 1974: CAPT Jane Skiles O’Dea

 One of the first six women to earn her wings
 April 19, 1974: CAPT Joellen Drag Oslund

 One of the first six women to earn her wings
 The first female helicopter pilot in the military
 1974: CAPT Ana Maria Scott Fuqua

 One of the first six women to earn her wings
 June 1974: CAPT Rosemary Mariner

 One of the first six women to earn her wings
  First woman to command an operational naval aviation squadron on 12 JULY 1990
  (Led VAQ-34 during Operation Desert Storm)
  First woman to fly a front-line tactical strike aircraft
 March 4, 1977: Janna Lambine

 First woman Coast Guard Aviator
 June 20, 1979: Lt. Donna L. Spruill

 (VRC-40) Became the first female naval aviator to carrier qualify in a fixed-wing aircraft. Spruill and copilot and squadron commanding officer, Cmdr. Jerry L. Wright, made ten landings and three catapult launches in a C-1A Trader on board Independence (CV 62) in the Atlantic.
            
                Significant milestones title graphic

June 6, 1980: Brenda Robinson

 First African American woman Navy Pilot
  Jan. 14, 1981; The first African American woman to carrier qualify
 August 1980: USS Lexington

 First Aircraft carrier to allow women to train onboard
 June 1981: Mary Crawford

 First woman NFO
 July 30, 1982: Ens. Jannine Weiss

 Became the first enlisted woman to receive her wings and to receive a commission under the new Limited Duty Officer Aviator Program.
 June 10, 1983: Colleen Nevius

 First woman pilot graduate of United States Naval Test Pilot School
 December 16, 1983: HMC (Ret) Catherine Elliot

 The first woman to qualify as a helicopter rescue swimmer
 March 20, 1984: Lt. Catherine H. Osman

 Piloted an HH-46A Sea Knight on board Iowa (BB 61), making her the first female pilot to land a helicopter on a battleship.
 February 13, 1987: Ens. Kamin A. Bell

 (HT-8) Became the Navy’s first female African American helicopter pilot.
            
                Significant milestones title graphic

May 22, 1991: The House Armed Services Committee voted to allow women to fly combat missions in Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft. The measure was included in an amendment to the 1992 defense budget.
 July 31, 1991: The Senate voted overwhelmingly to overturn a 43-year-old law that had barred women from flying warplanes in combat. The new measure, which was an amendment to the military budget bill for the 1992 fiscal year, permitted—but did not require—the armed forces to allow women to fly combat missions.
 March 31, 1992: Lt. Cmdr. Wendy B. Lawrence

 Became the first female line officer and naval aviator astronaut.March 2, 1995; Lawrence is the first woman naval aviator to go to space
 1993: Matice Wright- Springer

 First African American woman NFO
 April 28, 1993: Secretary of Defense Leslie Aspin lifted the ban on combat flights for women and opened additional ships to female sailors. He further stated his intention to forward a draft proposal to Congress to remove the last legislative barrier to the assignment of women to combat vessels. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Frank B. Kelso II concurred. On 30 November, President William J. Clinton signed legislation that lifted the ban on women serving on board combat ships.
 April 29, 1993: After the decision by Secretary of Defense Leslie Aspin to expand combat roles for women, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Frank B. Kelso II opened six enlisted naval aviation ratings to women: aviation antisubmarine warfare operator (AW), electronic warfare technician (EW), fire controlman (FC), gas turbine technician (GS), gas turbine technician–electrical (GSE), and gas turbine technician–mechanical (GSM).
 May 14, 1993: Official Memorandum from Chief of Naval Personnel

 Allows women to serve in combat roles in the military
 May 6, 1993: Lt. Cmdr. Kathryn P. Hire

 Was selected for assignment to VP-62, thus becoming the Navy’s first woman to be eligible to compete for assignments in aircraft engaged in combat missions.
 November 30, 1993: President William J. Clinton signed legislation that lifted the ban on women serving on board combat ships.
 December 1, 1993: Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton announced the first assignment of women to combat ships to begin by June 1994, pending notification of Congress as required by the fiscal year 1994 Defense Authorization Bill. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) were scheduled to be the first carriers to embark women, followed by John C. Stennis (CVN 74) at the end of 1994.
 March 7, 1994: The Navy ordered the first 63 women of the ship’s crew to report to Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
 May 7, 1994: Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Ronald J. Zlatoper outlined the Navy’s plan to open new opportunities for women during the seventh annual Naval Aviation Symposium at NAS Pensacola, Fla. VAQ-130 became the first squadron expected to receive women. He also revealed the impending assignment of women to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, embarked on board Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and CVW-11 on board Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
 July 31, 1994: Lt. Kara S. Hultgreen

 (VF-213) Made her first qualifying landing in an F-14A on board Constellation (CV 64) southwest of San Diego, Calif. She thus became the first fully qualified female Tomcat pilot
 April 21, 1995: Sarah Deal Burrow

 First woman Marine Corps Aviator
 August 16, 1996: 1st Lt. Jeanne Buchanan

 The first female naval flight officer in the Marine Corps.
            
                Significant milestones title graphic

2001: Elizabeth Malecha

 First woman Naval Aviator to graduate TOPGUN

  NFO
 February 2003: Beth Lambert

 The first woman Command Master Chief of an aircraft carrier (CVN- 71)
 October 2004: Wendi Bryan Carpenter

 First woman Naval Aviator to make Flag rank
 2004: Becky Calder

 First woman Pilot to graduate TOPGUN
 October 2009: April Beldo

 The first African American Woman to be CMC of an aircraft carrier
            
                Significant milestones title graphic

July 29, 2010: Nora Tyson

 First woman Naval Aviator to command a strike group
 January 4, 2013: Sarah Joyner

 First woman to command a Carrier Air Wing

  (CVN-75)
 March 14, 2015: Katie Cook

 First woman pilot to perform with the Blue Angels

  (Flew C-130, “Fat Albert”)
 April 21, 2015: Nora Tyson

 First Woman (and Woman Naval Aviator) to be nominated to and lead a ship Fleet
 July 2015: Nicole Mann

 First woman USMC pilot to graduate from the NASA astronaut program and first woman Marine to be a NASA mission commander
            
                Significant milestones title graphic

April 16, 2020: Angelica Alicia Martelle

 First woman AW Master in the Navy
 August 19, 2021: Amy Bauernschmidt

 First woman to command an Aircraft Carrier
 July 18, 2022: Amanda Lee*

 First woman selected to be a Blue Angels F/A-18 Demo Pilot
            
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    Navy News
    2/10/2023                  
News
Luke AFB Supports Navy Flyover During 2023 Super Bowl
 
                    
                    LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - The 56th Fighter Wing will support a U.S. Navy flyover, during the 2023 Super Bowl, at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Feb. 12, 2023.

        
        2/2/2023                  
News
Navy Aircraft to Fly Over Super Bowl LVII
 
                    
                    SAN DIEGO - Three U.S. Navy tactical aircraft squadrons will conduct an integrated flyover at the conclusion of the National Anthem during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Feb. 12.

        
        1/11/2023                  
News
Captain JoEllen Drag-Oslund: Female Naval Aviator Trailblazer
 
                    
                    2023 marks a significant milestone in Navy history and in naval aviation – 50 years of women flying in the Navy. In March 1973, the first group of women began U.S. Navy flight training in Pensacola. The following year, the group would become known as “The First Six.” Lt. Cmdr. Barbara Allen Rainey, Captain (Retired) Rosemary Bryant Mariner, Captain (Retired) Jane Skiles O’dea, Captain (Retired) JoEllen Drag-Oslund, Captain (Retired) Judith Neuffer, and Captain (Retired) Ana Marie Scott, were those first female aviators.

        
        11/6/2021                  
News
US Navy Selects First Woman Directly for F-35C After Earning Wings of Gold in Meridian
 
                    
                    MERIDIAN, Miss. - The U.S. Navy selected its first woman to go directly from earning designation as a naval aviator to postgraduate flight training in the F-35C Lightning II.

        
        7/31/2020                  
News
US Navy’s First Black Female Tactical Air Pilot Earns Wings of Gold in Texas
 
                    
                    The U.S. Navy’s first Black female tactical air (TACAIR) pilot received her Wings of Gold July 31, marking a significant milestone for Naval Aviation. Virginia native Lt. j.g. Madeline G. Swegle was designated a naval aviator and received her Wings of Gold with 25 classmates during a small ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas.

        
        2/1/2019                  
News
All-Female Flyover to Honor Naval Aviation Pioneer Capt. Mariner
 
                    
                    Honoring the life and legacy of a female pioneer in Naval aviation, the U.S. Navy will conduct Feb. 2 the first ever all-female flyover in Maynardville, Tennessee. Officially referred to as a “Missing Man Flyover,” the tribute will be part of the funeral service for one of the Navy’s first female jet pilots retired Navy Captain Rosemary Mariner, who passed away Jan. 24 following a long and brave fight with cancer.
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  U.S. Naval aviators, aircrew and maintenance teams pose for a photograph in front of an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Fist of the Fleet” Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 at the 2022 Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Oregon, May 22, 2022.Naval aviators, aircrew and maintenance teams
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  Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, commanding officer of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), answers questions from Republic of Korea news media during a press conference aboard Abraham Lincoln during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022.Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt
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  Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, renders a salute as she receives side honors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during the Carrier Strike Group One (CSG-1) change of command ceremonyVice Adm. Nora Tyson
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  A graphic for Black History Month in 2021.Command Master Chief April Beldo
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  Commander Michael Felber, commanding officer, HT-28, presents Captain Oslund, USN Ret. with a plaque and squadron mug during the winging ceremony on Oct. 21, 2022.Capt. Joellen Oslund
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  Ensign Rosemary Conaster (later Mariner), assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron (VC) 2, prepares for a flight in a Grumman S-2 Tracker antisubmarine aircraft at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jan. 9, 1975.Capt. Rosemary Mariner
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                ShareWomen in Naval Aviation: Lt. Nidia Ortizmadrigal
            Naval Air Systems Command
                July 3, 2023 | 3:06Born in Nicaragua, Lt. Nidia Ortizmadrigal came to the United States, joined the Navy and gained her citizenship. She talks about her career, the aviation maintenance community and why she loves serving her country.This video is part of a special series, "NAVAIR Women in Aviation: Celebrating 50 Years of Women Flying in the Navy" dedicated to celebrating the unique diversity and talents of the NAVAIR aviation community, past and present, and encouraging future generations to join the Navy and pursue STEM related careers.Now Playing
                            
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    Other references
    Z-Gram #116; dated 7 August 1972 on Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women
 Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces
 S.1076 - A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretaries of the military departments to prescribe the conditions under which female members of the Armed Forces may be assigned to duty in aircraft that are engaged in combat missions.
 National Defense Authorization Act for FY1994 (P.L. 103-160) STAT. 1656
 Memorandum (Plan for Assigning Women to Combatants)
 Memorandum - Subject: Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule
 Women in the Navy Book, March 2022
 Women in the Navy on DVIDS
 Graphics and Communication ToolsCNAF Social Media


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