US Navy welcomes its first Black female Tactical Aircraft pilot

Updated: Jul 13, 2020 / 04:50 PM CDT

KINGSVILLE, Texas (News Nation) — The U.S. Navy is welcoming the branch’s first Black female Tactical Aircraft pilot.

“BZ to Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle on completing the Tactical Air (Strike) aviator syllabus,” Naval Air Training tweeted Thursday. “Swegle is the @USNavy’s first known Black female TACAIR pilot and will receive her Wings of Gold later this month. HOOYAH!”

MAKING HISTORY! https://t.co/jKJONHvL7S
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) July 9, 2020

The tweet was shared by the U.S. Navy’s account — which highlighted the accomplishment.

Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle is from Burke, Virginia, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2017, according to Stars and Stripes.

The Navy’s Vice Chief of Information Rear Adm. Paula Dunn also applauded Swegle on Twitter.

Very proud of LTJG Swegle. Go forth and kick butt. https://t.co/Fmleo7Ajd3
— RDML Paula Dunn (@ViceCHINFO) July 9, 2020

Swegle is currently assigned to the Redhawks of Training Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station Kingsville in Texas, according to Navy Times. The Navy said she will earn her wings at a ceremony on July 31.

The first Black female pilot in the Navy was Lt. Cmdr. Brenda E. Robinson, who earned her wings on June 6, 1980, according to Women in Aviation International.