Lt. j.g. Madeline G. Swegle, of Burke, Virginia, received her Wings of Gold and became the U.S. Navy’s first black female tactical air (TACAIR) pilot on Friday.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity to work harder and fly high performance jet aircraft in the fleet,” Swegle said, adding, “It would’ve been nice to see someone who looked like me in this role; I never intended to be the first. I hope it’s encouraging to other people.”

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.

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

Commander, Naval Air Forces Vice Adm. DeWolfe “Bullet” Miller III said she was a “courageous trailblazer.”

“She has joined a select group of people who earned Wings of Gold and answered the call to defend our nation from the air. The diversity of that group—with differences in background, skill and thought—makes us a stronger fighting force,” Miller said.

https://twitter.com/USNavy/status/1288128805513703426

The U.S. Navy’s first Black American female naval aviator, Brenda E. Robinson, earned her wings in 1980. Robinson became the 42nd woman to be designated a naval aviator, the U.S. Navy said.