U.S. Navy Lieutenant J.G. Madeline Swegle has made history, as she recently became the first Black female tactical jet pilot in the United States Navy.
She is set to formally receive her gold wings at a ceremony later this month as a newly minted naval aviator.
The news was first shared by her best friend, who had tweeted on July 7.
Just my best friend making history pic.twitter.com/k0qG8kaZTr
— Miss Alissa (@paigealissa) July 7, 2020
The Chief of Naval Air Training’s (CNATRA) public affairs office also confirmed the news on its Twitter page on Thursday.
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BZ to Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle on completing the Tactical Air (Strike) aviator syllabus. Swegle is the @USNavy’s first known Black female TACAIR pilot and will receive her Wings of Gold later this month. HOOYAH! @FlyNavy @NASKPAO #ForgedByTheSea #CNATRA #CNATRAgrads pic.twitter.com/FKSlURWQhJ
— Naval Air Training (@CNATRA) July 9, 2020
In an official Navy interview, Swegle said she was inspired to become a pilot as a young girl after seeing the Blue Angels, a flight demonstration squadron. She never intended to be the first at anything—she just loved the “fast planes.” She attributes her success to the support of her parents, who encouraged her to follow her passion.
Swegle’s achievement comes some 46 years after naval aviator Rosemary Mariner became the first woman in the Navy to fly tactical jets in 1974.
She is part of a new generation of TACAIR pilots to qualify on the state-of-the-art aircraft launch and recovery equipment unique to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the electromagnetic aircraft launch system, and the advanced arresting gear. She completed career qualifications in 2020 and is stationed at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington (2023).