U.S. Navy Lieutenant J.G., Madeline Swegle made history after 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.
Her best friend first shared the news in a tweet on July 7.
Just my best friend making history pic.twitter.com/k0qG8kaZTr
— unfriendly black hottie (@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.
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
— Chief of Naval Air Training (@CNATRA) July 9, 2020
Swegle’s achievement is coming some 46 years after naval aviator Rosemary Mariner became the first woman in the Navy to fly tactical jets in 1974.